Total Me: A New Program for Residents at Covenant House Michigan

On Monday November 9, Covenant House Michigan started a new program called Total Me for residents staying at Rights of Passage and the Crisis Center. The program focuses on different areas, all with the goal for residents to improve themselves by committing to change and grow as individuals, as well as a team. The six areas in the program are civic responsibility, the house, literacy, employment/career, social skills, and leadership. Throughout the day students will rotate through different sessions and learn skill sets based on the areas while working as a team. The goal is for students to acquire certain skills, responsibility, and leadership that will help them grow and be successful members of society.

Civic responsibility will focus on the student’s participation in the community. From voting to participating in the National Census, students will learn the importance of accountability and the power of their own voice. Residents will learn how to use their voice as a group to make a difference. Leadership will include a resident election for president and vice president, as well as many other roles for both Rights of Passage and the Crisis Center. Residents will be nominated by in house staff. Leadership roles will allow residents to improve their team leadership skills that they will be able to carry to future employment opportunities. The goal is for the residents in leadership roles to participate and delegate responsibility.

Social skills will help residents learn how to build relationships as well as etiquette for everyday life and for when they are searching for employment. It is important the residents are able to be in formal and professional situation and be able to present themselves properly. Social skills will also provide residents with everyday actions and how to create a positive atmosphere for themselves as well as others. A focus will also include hygiene and why it is especially important when on the path to employment.

The main focus of the new program is to instill skill sets from all points of life that the residents can carry into the future. The goal is for residents to find a career rather than just a job. By teaching and giving them all the skills necessary to be successful in life, residents should be able to find a career and be able to look for long-term employment.

The residents will be able to create employment-readiness by combining all aspects of the Total Me program. By focusing on different parts of their lives and then combining them together will allow residents to grow overall and give them skills that they will use the rest of their lives to create a successful future.