Humanim is excited to announce that we have been selected for a second time as a recipient of the 2025 Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grant from Howard County. We’re grateful for this award, which provides us with the resources to continue supporting young people of Howard County through our Youth Transition Services, offering career readiness, mentorship, and job development opportunities as they move from high school into successful careers.
What is the YEP! Program?
Launched by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the YEP! initiative aims to provide underserved youth with opportunities for engagement, growth, and career exploration that are offered outside of traditional school hours. The program focuses on helping young people, by offering free or low-cost programs and activities that focus on social-emotional learning, mental health, wellness, and activities. Humanim’s participation in YEP! enhances our existing Youth Transition Services (YTS), which is dedicated to preparing youth with psychiatric and developmental disabilities for the workforce.
Humanim’s Youth Transition Services (YTS)
YTS serves transition-aged youth between the ages of 14 and 25, providing them with critical training, internships, and job placement services. YTS is designed to meet young people where they are, offering a combination of virtual learning and hands-on experiences to prepare them for the workforce.
Key elements of YTS include:
- Virtual Career Readiness Training: Students participate in a self-paced, 8-week virtual curriculum that covers essential skills such as time management, self-advocacy, resume writing, and mock interviewing.
- Internships and Job Exploration: After completing the virtual training, students are given the opportunity to participate in internships, where they gain real-world work experience. These internships, hosted by community-based employers such as Walgreens, CVS, Harris Teeter, and Howard County General Hospital, allow students to explore different career paths and develop transferable skills.
- Job Placement and Retention: After completing internships, Humanim supports students with job placement, offering assistance with job applications, onboarding, and orientation. Our team also provides job coaching and ongoing support to ensure long-term job retention.
- Community Partnerships and Support: Community partnerships are at the heart of YTS’s success. We work closely with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), DORS, and other organizations to ensure students are connected to the resources they need. Our network of employer partners, including Walgreens, CVS, Harris Teeter, and Howard County General Hospital, provides valuable internship opportunities for students. These collaborations not only support the growth of students, but also help employers tap into a reliable and diverse talent pipeline, ensuring students are connected to the resources they need.
How to Sign Up
The YTS program is open to high school-aged youth (ages 14-17) and young adults (ages 18-25) with disabilities. To participate, students must be:
- A high school student or young adult between the ages of 14 and 25.
- Interested in gaining work experience and preparing for a career.
Learn More
If you’re interested in the YTS program, or have any questions about YEP!, contact us at youth-services@humanim.org or 410.381.7171. Our team is excited to support you through this process and help you achieve your career goals.
Humanim’s involvement in the YEP! program marks an exciting opportunity to help even more Howard County youth explore their potential and prepare for the workforce. Let’s work together to build a brighter future for young people in our community!