LAMC developed a new program for YLA Alumni in the Fall of 2018 to help the high school seniors acquire additional skills as they get ready to transition to the next phase of life.

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Balance was developed after interviewing YLA Alumni. Questions included what the program did not cover, what did they miss, and what additional support was needed as they moved to college, career and life. Balance was created to meet these additional needs. Balance also was created to help bridge the gap between the soft skills that employers say are crucial to the workforce and the limited opportunity students have to practice those first hand in school.

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The Balance class began the program in August and participants took part in the recent Communications Series which covered topics including Emotional Intelligence, Having Crucial Conversations and Building Trust in Teams. They were a part of a community-wide professional development series with adults and some found challenges not being just among their peers, and it caused some to reach outside of their comfort zone.

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Students have sessions that will cover career exploration, financial literacy, and visioning. Participants collaborate with each other to develop the necessary skills to BALANCE their lives. 

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Special Funding was provided by NTN and First Merchants for this new program.