Ignite

Residential programs - the bronzeville youth shelter is an emergency shelter for minor youth, ages 14-17, that provides a safe and healing environment with a goal to reunite these youth with their families or guardians, if safe and appropriate, or to secure alternative living arrangements. Belfort house is a transitional living program for youth, ages 17-23, where residents stay for up to 18 months and create individual action plans to help them achieve their goals, while they move toward attaining autonomy, employment, and their own housing. Cassa is the agency's independent living program for youth, ages 18-24, where young adults live in their own apartments for up to two years while still maintaining access to case management and supportive services, with the goal of taking over the apartment lease as the two year limit expires.

Supportive services - all youth connected to Ignite receive whole health counseling, education, access to an on-site mental health clinician, and referrals for primary and preventative care, mental health, substance abuse counseling, and more. Education support resources and academic assessments are provided on site. Youth receive individualized attention, advocacy, encouragement, study skills, tutoring, and referrals to alternative and/or traditional schools and programs. The employment program supports youth who have limited job skills and work history with an intensive program to develop job readiness. Youth with more significant work experience are offered guidance in job searches, placement, and retention. The agency also offers recreation activities to help young people identify healthy, positive outlets, develop interpersonal skill, self-esteem, and purpose as they transition to independent adults.

Outreach, prevention and aftercare - these programs meet the immediate basic needs of youth and provide crisis intervention while connecting youth with community resources, including the full complement of Ignite services. Clients range in age from 12- 24 and can access crisis counseling, case management, referrals and access to a range of support services via a 24/ 7 hotline, street and community outreach, the agency's drop-in center and aftercare services