Daymark Story
NEW CONNECTIONS
The New Connections Education Program focuses on preparing students for the HISET (High School Equivalency Exam), for post-secondary transition into CTC (Community and Technical College) or 4-year colleges, and for workforce training. Students may also brush up on academic skills, explore careers and colleges, learn resume writing, and upgrade existing computer skills with IC3 Digital Literacy or Microsoft Office certification.
Classes are open on Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM- 3:30 PM. Students may also take advantage of distance education classes if work schedules, travel distances, and/or family obligations present obstacles to attending in-person classes on a regular basis. Whichever option students choose, classes are free and open to anyone who is 17-24 years old. Classes are open to residents or any other qualifying person from the community.
For more information on the program, please contact Alexa Ceballos by calling 304-340-3690 or by emailing alexa@daymark.org. Intakes are by appointment only. 17-18-year-olds must provide any one of the following three types of documentation at the time of the appointment: high school withdrawal form, home school completion certification, or court order. If parents, guardians, or students have a difficult time obtaining these forms, discuss the concern with Alexa prior to the appointment, and she will assist with the process of acquiring them.
ELIGIBILITY AND REFERRAL
The New Connections Independent Living Program is for youth who are aging out of the foster care system and young adults who are homeless. Foster care youth must be at least 17 years of age and homeless youth must be at least 18 years of age. Youth have their own apartments and are required to have jobs and pay nominal rent. They cook their own meals, use public transportation, and abide by program rules including curfew. Staff act as life coaches to encourage, support, and provide assistance with shopping, time management, and basic apartment maintenance.
When an appropriate youth indicates interest, and there is an apartment available, an interview is set up as soon as possible. If the youth is appropriate, they may move in as soon as the apartment can be readied. If there is no apartment available, they may be put on a waiting list. Youth who are in dangerous situations may be referred to a shelter until there is an available apartment.
NEW CONNECTIONS FAQ
PATCHWORK
Patchwork, licensed by the State of West Virginia is a runaway and homeless shelter for youth ages 12+ and offers crisis support services for the WV Department of Health and Human Resources. Patchwork is never closed providing free and confidential services on a voluntary basis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Patchwork’s mission is to respond to the needs of youth and families in crisis and to provide youth in high-risk situations with a safe alternative to the streets.
Services include individual, group, family, telephone and walk-in counseling, as well as information concerning and referral to community agencies and other resources that may be of benefit to the youth and families in need. Emergency services such as food and clothing; advocacy; outreach; and community education are also provided. Follow-up services are provided whenever possible.
ELIGIBILITY AND REFERRAL
Any youth who is 12+ may come to Patchwork at any time day or night. Program staff will attend to immediate needs (food, shelter, medical), determine the youth’s presenting problems and any special needs (medical, religious, cultural). If a referral cannot not be made immediately, staff may agree to provide emergency services on the first floor.
Patchwork also provides crisis support services to youth who are truant, runaway, homeless, or victims of child abuse/neglect. Referrals come from West Virginia DHHR, Juvenile Probation, schools, and other agencies. Patchwork provides emergency services and pharmacological services, mental health assessments/service plans, nursing services, drug testing, and educational/vocational exploration.
If you need to place a youth at the Patchwork Emergency Crisis Shelter, you can make a referral by calling 304 340 3578.
PATCHWORK FAQ
A: No. Any teen can come to Patchwork.
TURNING POINT
Turning Point accepts male and female youth, ages 15 – 21 in the custody of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Youth work towards independence, moving through a four phase system where they earn increased freedom with increased responsibility. Youth who “graduate” from the Turning Point program go on to college, military service, independent living, or return to a family unit.
Turning Point residents will
- Choose to participate in the Turning Point program.
- Learn to cook well-balanced meals for themselves and the other residents.
- Do their own laundry and help maintain the household by cleaning the bathrooms, mopping the floors, running the vacuum, etc.
- Learn to use public transportation.
- Maintain part-time jobs.
- Go to public school, vocational school, college, or GED programs.
- Be alcohol and drug- free while at Turning Point.
- Be given every chance to reach personal goals while they learn to live independently.
- Abide by reasonable house rules and curfews.
- Learn to treat themselves, Turning Point staff, and other residents with respect.
ELIGIBILITY AND REFERRAL
Eligibility requirements:
Youth must be ages 15 — 21 and in the custody of the state. Youth should not be fire starters. Only youth who want to be in the Turning Point program will be admitted.
Referral Process:
If you would like to make a referral and arrange a pre-placement interview, call the Turning Point office at 681-265-1112 and look for Linda Boyer or click on the referral icon and fill out an application. Youth who fit the eligibility requirements will be given pre-placement interviews where they will see the site, meet the case managers, and decide whether they want to participate in the Turning Point program.
TURNING POINT FAQ
OUR STORIES
LANNAH
Lannah has had a very difficult life, but she is a survivor. She has been in and out of state’s custody all of her life because of her mother’s continued substance abuse. When she was five she was in a serious car accident that almost took her life. In middle school she was bullied to the point that she quit going. She survived and ultimately ended an abusive relationship. And she got pregnant.
But she is a wonderful mother. She is repairing her relationship with her own mother, now clean and sober for the longest time ever. And she comes to New Connections every afternoon and works with the New Connections GED Educator.
She likes the individual attention she receives. And if she doesn’t understand something, no one hassles her about it. She marvels at how nice everyone is.
She says that she has to make a good life for her daughter, and getting her GED one of the first steps.
CHRIS
Chris had been living with his grandmother who was raising several of Chris’ siblings and cousins. When Grandmother’s health and the space limitations of her apartment became burdensome, Chris was placed in state’s custody. He was attending Life Skills Group and Fresh Start Group at New Connections while he lived at DAYMARK’s Turning Point group home. He repeatedly asked his case manager if he could live in one of the New Connections apartments. After proving to her that he was mature enough to have his own apartment, Chris moved to New Connections.
While living at New Connections, Chris followed the rules, had a job, and got his GED. He worked through all the phases of the program, finishing early in 2011. Chris understood that he needed a college education, but decided to spend a year working, saving for college, and as he said, “getting himself settled.” He got a job and found a place to live. Chris kept in touch with New Connections, and whenever one of his friends was having trouble, Chris would tell him/her about DAYMARK.
Currently, Chris is the manager of a popular restaurant (not fast food) in town, and will be starting college soon with a full scholarship. He still stops by New Connections to check in and reports that he is doing great!
OUR PEOPLE
Licensing specialists, Council on Accreditation peer reviewers and United Way Citizen Review panelists always comment on DAYMARK’s caring staff and Board of Directors. Employees and Board members are recognized and respected in the community as being knowledgeable and caring about the agency, its mission, its services, and the work that the agency does with West Virginia’s youth.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adam Carr,
President
Gretchen Lewis,
Vice-President
Paula Bland,
Secretary
Alex Campbell,
Treasurer
Alexandra Arwood
Becky Ceperly
Andrew Cooke
Mary Jean Davis
Georganna Francke
Elliot Hicks
Meghan Moses
Jamie O’Connor
Patrick O’Malley
Chelsie Rankin
Beth Rutledge
Takeiya Smith
Lisa Strawn
Katy Taylor
Youth Representatives
Lucy Smith
Malia Boggs
DONATE TO DAYMARK
DAYMARK receives a variety of federal and state funding, but it’s through the contributions of individuals and businesses in the community that DAYMARK is able to continue to provide services to vulnerable youth.
Because DAYMARK is a community agency, when you give to DAYMARK all of your donation stays in West Virginia, helping West Virginia kids.
Your donation of $10 can buy three nutritious meals and a snack for a hungry homeless teenager.
Your donation of $25 can buy a backpack and school supplies for a youth living in one of our facilities, or an outfit for a young person to wear to a job interview.
Your donation of $100 can fill the Outreach van’s gas tank so the team can take food, drink, blankets, coats, and shoes to needy children in 19 neighborhoods in Kanawha and Putnam Counties.
DAYMARK, Incorporated is registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State as a charity, so all of your gift is tax deductible.
For more information about how you can donate money or goods and services, call (304) 340-3675.
GALLERY
REFERRALS
To make a referral, call for more information:
For Turning Point referrals contact:
Linda Boyer | Phone: 681-265-1112 | Fax: 304-342-0333 | linda@daymark.org
For New Connections Education Lab referrals contact:
Alexa Ceballos | Phone: 304-340-3690 | Fax: 304-340-3595 | alexa@daymark.org
For New Connections Independent Living referrals contact:
Abigail Sedgwick | 304-340-3691 | Fax: 304-340-3595 | abigail@daymark.org
For Patchwork referrals contact:
Mattie Morgan | Phone: 304-340-3578 | Fax: 304-340-3672| mattie@daymark.org
Brittany McCallister | Phone: 304-340-3638 | britmc@daymark.org
CONTACT US
Mailing address:
1592 Washington Street East, Suite 2
Charleston, WV 25311
Telephone and Fax Numbers:
Phone: 304-340-3675
Fax: 304-340-3595
Phone: 304-340-3690
Fax: 304-340-3595
Phone: 304-340-3670
Fax: 304-340-3672
Phone: 304-340-3673
Fax: 304-342-0333
Management Team email:
Beth Scohy, Executive Director: beth@daymark.org
Alex Carroll, Director of Finance: Alex@daymark.org
Samantha Nottingham, Finance Assistant: samantha@daymark.org
Daymark’s funding is:
13.2%
Federal
$251,849
72.7%
State
$1,387,8770
3.2%
United Way
$61,335
10.6%
Private
$201,905
0.3%
Other
$6,304
