Breaking Away is a structured intervention and prevention program designed to equip justice-involved and at-risk youth with the skills, exposure, and support needed to build successful futures. Through a comprehensive curriculum, participants engage in hands-on learning experiences that develop soft skills, career awareness, vocational exploration, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and technology innovation.

Youth progress through intentional phases including identity development, career readiness, trade and technical skill exposure, service learning, and transition planning. The program integrates evidence-based frameworks such as Career Clusters™, CTE standards, and work-based learning models to ensure participants gain real-world knowledge and practical application.

Each participant exits the program with a completed resume and cover letter, career portfolio, career interest inventory, and a personalized transition plan outlining their next educational or employment steps.

Breaking Away is committed to helping youth break cycles, discover purpose, and create clear pathways toward education, employment, and long-term success.

The Youth Advocate Mentorship (YAM) Program is a structured, evidence-informed mentoring initiative designed to support justice-involved and at-risk youth ages 12–18 in Union County. YAM provides consistent, relationship-based guidance to help young people build accountability, develop life skills, and successfully navigate challenges within the juvenile justice, school, and family systems.

Grounded in research-supported practices, the YAM program integrates structured mentoring, cognitive-behavioral skill development, and strength-based engagement to reduce recidivism and promote long-term independence.