Ward Home, Inc.

Ward Home's mission is to train at risk young adults in practical life skills in safe, nurturing environments in order to live independently as effective, contributing members of the community.

Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program

Ward Home's Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program is a community-based, residential program serving at-risk foster teens and young adults ages 16-21 in apartment-style housing under 24 hour supervision. Our teen boys reside at our site in Swissvale, our teen girls and our teen moms and their babies reside at our site in Wilkinsburg. These homes are more than just temporary housing; they are safe, nurturing, home environments where teens are encouraged to reach their individual goals and grow into successful, independent members of the community.

Program Curriculum
Our direct care staff are trained in evidence-based motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care curriculums that are proven effective based on rigorous evaluation and studies. These curriculums focus on strengthening a teen's motivation to reach specific goals, such as securing stable employment or moving out on their own, as well as helping our teens recover from previous traumas, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, or being removed from their home at a young age. In conjunction with their daily life skills lesson, these curriculums help teens change their negative behaviors, gain confidence, and develop trusting relationships. All teens are also given the opportunity to participate in mentoring and enrichment programming in order to enhance their life skills development.

In the SIL Program, teens and young adults learn to:
• Pursue an education and earn a degree;
• Find safe, affordable housing:
• Explore and develop safe and healthy relationships;
• Prepare for employment and learn job-ready skills;
• Manage their health, safety and well-being;
• Create opportunities that change their destiny.

Creative and academic enrichment programming includes:
• Enrichment programming
• Parenting classes
• Academic tutoring
• College tours
• Mentoring
• Workforce Development

My Best Self Program

Launched in 2017, Ward Home's My Best Self program is a pilot program funded through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services that will empower all foster youth ages 12 to 21 throughout Allegheny County. The My Best Self Program addresses self-care needs and social skills support for foster youth residing in foster homes, group homes, and supervised independent living programs. This program will inspire foster youth to look good, feel better, and be their best self.

Accomplishments

• Ward Home served 256 at-risk teens and young adults in our two programs, the current Supervised Independent Living Program and our previous program, the Independent Living Program. (FY18)

• For every dollar in our budget, 84 cents goes directly to programming that benefits our teens. (FY18)

• 90% of Ward Home's eligible teens graduated high school or completed their GED. (FY18)

• 80% of our high school graduates are moving on to post-secondary education. (FY18)

• More than 47% of teens in the SIL program participated in art enrichment programming. (FY18)

• In our new My Best Self Program, all foster youth ages 12 to 21 throughout Allegheny County receive self-care and social skills support to empower them to look good, feel better and be their best self.

• More than 57% of Ward Home teens have full or part-time jobs. (FY18)

• Ward Home currently employs two alumnae as Direct Care staff members. (FY18)

• We are proud of our continued partnerships with many of our generous supporters, including the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation, PNC Charitable Trust, and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. We also established new partnerships with the FISA Foundation and Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation. (FY18)