Life Skills Education

A critical element in helping residents of affordable housing succeed in the community is the provision of programs to educate them regarding family/financial management and their role as tenants. MECH, through the implementation of a Life Skills Education Program, helps empower our tenants to change their lives. MECH believes that tenants can become part of the problem-solving team, which will also improve community perceptions of low-income families. How? A series of 1 to 2 hour interactive presentations including:   Creditworthiness and Financial Improvement Job Skills and Career Opportunities Family Interaction and Structure (including parenting, gang awareness) Home Maintenance and Simple Property Repairs Neighborhood Pride City and Community Services Health, Nutrition and Food Budgeting This program is also currently being offered to community associations and major employers in South Orange County. To learn more about having Life Skills Education for your organization, please call us at (949) 369-5419.

St. Regis Resort and Spa Housing Initiative Development agreement between City and developer included affordability provision. Most feasible solution was for the Hotel to provide a housing subsidy to its lower-income employees. •Qualified employees select housing, pay 30% of income towards rent.  Hotel pays remainder of rent up to cap. •MECH manages $215K/year program, City monitors. •There are currently 70 program participants •MECH administers Life Skills program to all participants.  St. Regis Hotel, Monarch Beach Hotel benefits from Subsidy Program through decreased staff turnover and access to local employment base.

Life Skills and Teens Forward MECH requires all its adult residents to participate in monthly Life Skills workshops providing training in goal setting, household financial planning, home buying, career advancement, parenting and community resources and participation.  MECH teams with other community organizations to provide computer and ESL classes to interested residents. •MECH offers a Life Skills program to teen residents called Teens Forward.  Program brings in speakers from colleges, vocational programs, community organizations and drug and alcohol prevention groups and hosts interviewing, job and scholarship application, and self-esteem/peer issue workshops. Program also pairs kids in need with free or low-cost tutoring and counseling services. •In 2004, 22% of MECH residents transitioned to non-subsidized housing.  In 2005, 10% of our families moved on to purchase their own homes!  •The majority of our teens are on a college-track curriculum or are currently pursuing higher education!     Young MECH residents at Annual Christmas party St. Andrew’s Church provides gifts to every child and teen in our program

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