Elevate 361 acts as a life coach for at-risk 16- to 24-year-olds in the Nueces County area.
“Elevate 361 was created to help opportunity youths who fall through the cracks of the system and to elevate them,” said Kimberly Head, the center’s director, stating she uses the term “opportunity youths” to describe young adults and or at-risk youths.
Elevate 361 is used as a hub to help with young adults struggling with homelessness, joblessness, school, drugs, etc.
With the help of partners such as Workforce Solutions, Crossroads and many others, the location houses many representatives to connect them to the right people under one roof.
“We do face-to-face handoffs … we’ll provide representatives here,” Head said. “When we have someone from Del Mar, if an opportunity youth is interested, we’ll introduce the two. If an opportunity youth struggles with alcohol and drug use, we’ll encourage them to speak with a Coastal Bend Wellness rep.”
This isn’t just a place that speaks on accommodating and doesn’t follow through. Elevate 361 staff pride themselves in following up with the youths.
They’ll personally reach out and ask if they spoke to so and so or if they set up the appointment and followed up.
“We make sure they get the help they need … like what a parent should say, were saying … it’s asking the question if they followed up even if they need to make a phone call, we’re right there with them to help them ask the right questions,” Head said.
Employees at Elevate 361 know what it’s like to live in a rough area where crime rates are high as well as teen pregnancies and drugs.
Career Navigator Alana Polk works closely with the opportunity youths. Coming from a rough area in Houston, she is aware of what it means to struggle as a youth.
“I come from a low-income community where resources were not readily available, or we didn’t have any awareness of them. Being able to be a support for these kids where I didn’t have that support … being able to relate to these kids that have no exposure hit home to me,” Polk said.
From as early as 16 years old to the moment they reach 24, Elevate 361 doesn’t believe the help should stop there.
With Crossroads Adult Education program they then take over to support those in need further.
That is where Jesse Naranjo, with the Education Service Center from Crossroads, comes in.
Naranjo assists Elevate 361 with those who still need assistance or come in fresh off the streets looking for help from all angles.
“We partnered with Elevate 361 for the community who need help … to learn English, learn job skills and teach them certain subjects they are in need of,” said Naranjo, who will be an instructor at Elevate 361.
October 2023 was their soft opening to the public. March 27 will be the official date the public will be notified by the mayor.
Located at 3015 Morgan Ave., the current hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information visit www.elevate361.org.
