TEMPO
Young Adult Resource Center
OVERVIEW
The Tempo Young Adult Resource Center is a single center in which multiple supports and services for young adults (ages 17 – 24) in an easily accessible downtown location. Tempo addresses the urgent need for services for at-risk youth at the critical point of transition into adulthood. Tempo works with youth who have mental health conditions, a lack of family connections, risky behavior, and other issues such as substance abuse and homelessness. Tempo’s diverse staff use a youth-centered planning process to help young adults develop goals and to provide the tools and resources needed to become successful, independent members of the community. The Young Adult Advisory Council named the center, selecting “Tempo” for its meaning in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
The collaboration of local providers allows Tempo to offer a comprehensive, youth-centered goal setting and planning process (Wayside), career development and employment supports and services (Future Skills Institute), legal advocacy (Advocates), housing search and placement (South Middlesex Opportunity Council), and health education and assessment (Framingham Community Health Center).
SERVICES
Wayside “Transition Facilitators” implement a consumer-driven, strength-based, high intensity planning process to help youth in transition to meet their independent living goals. Transition Facilitators assess youth needs in partnership with. youth and assist with access to needed health, mental health and substance abuse treatment, integrated with practical skill-building supports, employment services, and flexible funding for unique, one-time needs. Transition Facilitators walk through the plans side by side with young adults, offering support, advice, encouragement and accountability.
Other on-site services include:
- Comprehensive employment and work related services
- Legal advocacy and access to mainstream benefit programs
- Housing search and support
- Community health educators and access to health care
- Recovery groups oriented specifically towards young adults
- Independent living skills workshops
- Peer leadership and parent support groups
- Social networking, community service, and healthy recreational events
- Practical assistance with transportation and other basic needs
YOUNG ADULT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Young adults actively shape Tempo through participation in the Advisory Council and the Governance Board, serving as paid peer outreach and administrative interns, and developing peer support, outreach, and community building activities.
ELIGIBILITY
Young adults who meet basic screening for need and who have no other source of on-going case management are eligible for Transition Facilitator services. All young adults (ages 17 – 24) are eligible to participate in individual services.
Tempo Young Adult Resource Center is supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which will be matched by local funding partners, to establish the first young adult resource center in the MetroWest region dedicated to serving at-risk youth ages 17-24. Project funding partners include the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation, the Carlisle Foundation, Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation and the United Way of Tri-County.
Collaborating partners include Advocates, Inc., the Future Skills Institute (a program of the Metro South/ West Regional Employment Board), South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), the Framingham Community Health Center, and Wayside. Community-wide planning for Tempo included local partners such as young adults and their parents, the police, adult and juvenile probation and school departments, Massachusetts Departments of Mental Health, Social Services and Youth Services, the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, and local human services and health care providers.
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change.
For 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network
For More Information about Wayside, please visit:
www.waysideyouth.org