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Youth Enterprise Project

The Youth Enterprise Project (YEP) is an award-winning six-month entrepreneurship program. YEP teaches court-involved youth basic employment and entrepreneurial skills as they progress from classroom training and internships in media and arts businesses to managing their own greeting card business, Shout Out Productions. All participants are enrolled in CASES' Court Employment Project.

In each six-month cycle participants learn principles of job readiness, media production skills, and business/entrepreneurship skills. Once they have completed their training, participants receive a paid work experience in Shout Out Productions. In Shout-Out, participants choose a specialty in one of four aspects of business management: production, marketing, distribution, or accounting/administration. Program activities take place after-school year-round, including school vacations and summertime. Participants receive training on graphic design software during hands-on workshops conducted by Art Start, a nonprofit organization that uses arts education to help under-served youth transform their lives.

As each cycle nears completion, YEP links participants to ongoing education, training, and employment. Participants are offered assistance with updating their resumes, writing cover letters, and conducting a job search. YEP graduates participate in the selection of youth for the next cycle, a role they take very seriously -- recognizing that the continuing success of Shout-Out Productions is in the hands of their successors.

Through on-going evaluation, we have learned that YEP participants are deeply committed to Shout-Out Productions and are excited to engage in all facets of the program. The Youth Enterprise Program uses this excitement as a motivating force to convince participants to continue their education and pursue legitimate employment. By engaging youth in education and meaningful work -- which builds self-esteem and a sense of identity -- YEP prepares youth for self-sufficient, productive and law-abiding lives.