Once a month, youth attend outings throughoutSouthern California.
The outings expose foster youth to diverse cultural and social
activities in the city and surrounding communities. Outings are
educational and fun for EASE-IN youth and offer them
opportunities to enhance their interpersonal skills and build support
systems with each other and in their surrounding
communities.
Outings promote: 1)
Greater understanding of other cultures, fostering respect of
self and others; 2) Protection and appreciation of all
wildernesses through outdoor exploration, education, sharing
and spiritual growth; 3) Valuable survival skills for young
people and the ability to face challenges outside their urban
environments.
Interpersonal skills, resiliency, self-esteem, and
leadership skills grow as a natural result of teamwork and an
active relationship with the outdoors; 4) Preparation for
living independently after emancipation by exposing the foster
youth to opportunities and choices.
Past successes: 1)
Annual Black College Expo attendance enhanced identity and
self-esteem; 2) A nature hike in the mountains boosted
self-efficacy in the youth as they took pride in completing
the 4-mile trek; 3) At a downtown homeless mission, the youth
worked collectively on tasks such as cutting vegetables,
serving food, and busing tables. Youth commented that they
would not want to be homeless after witnessing Skid Row; 4) At
a Caregiver Appreciation event, the caregivers ended the day
by building a support system through continued
contact.