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P.A.L.S. Transitional Youth Program

The PALS (Preparing Adolescents to Live Successfully) Transitional Living Program has been a flagship program within Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. since 1988. PALS is a community-based transitional youth program in Mississippi certified by the Department of Mental Health. PALS is a transitional living program for youth ages 18-23. This program is located in Jackson and specializes in assisting homeless youth in becoming self-sufficient, contributing members of society. The PALS program is designed to facilitate healing, recovery, and promote the social and emotional well-being of youth who have experienced homelessness, neglect, exposure to violence and/or trauma.

 

Supervised Independent Living Program

The SILP (Supervised Independent Living Program) is a community based transitional youth program for youth in foster care ages 18-21 that are preparing to transition out of foster care or age out of the foster care system. It is a program located in Jackson that specializes in assisting these youth in becoming self-sufficient, contributing members of society. The SILP program is designed to facilitate independence through housing, education, job training, employment assistance and counseling.​ Participants gain life skills as they transition out of foster care into independence.

 

 

The four pillars of the PALS/ SILP program are: 

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• Well-Being 

Youth are connected with systems of care providers to assist with physical health, dental health, and mental health. 

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• Permanent Connections 

Youth are encouraged to maintain ongoing attachments to families, communities, schools and other social networks. 

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• Education and Employment 

Youth are connected to schools including post-secondary education or vocational training programs; improvement in interviewing skills; job attainment skills; financial literacy programs, and employment.

 

• Safe and Stable Housing 

Youth transition to safe and stable housing that appropriately matches their level of need which can include; rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, moving in with family, finding roommates, etc.

 

 

For more information on the PALS Program, please contact:

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Noreen Davidson, LPC, NCC

Division Director of Transitional Living Services

noreen@southernchristianservices.org

601.354.0983, Ext. 241

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Teresita Turner, BA

Transition Facilitator

teresita@southernchristianservices.org

 

Ciara Griffith, LMSW

Transition Facilitator

cgriffith@southernchristianservices.org

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