Supporting At-Risk Youth: Samantha Melendez’s Impact at SSYI

Q: How long have you been with SSYI, and what’s your current role? (Please provide a detailed explanation, not just your title.)  

 A: I have been with SSYI (Safe and Successful Youth Initiative) for three years as a Senior Program Manager. In my role, I provide technical assistance (TA) to 14 grantees across the state. Some of the technical assistance I provide includes sharing best practices for grantee outreach, case management, and overall support with program strategies. I also provide fiscal oversight for our SSYI grantees, which involves reviewing and approving budgets and quarterly expenditure reports that help inform our program needs. Additionally, I facilitate monthly affinity groups, bringing together like-minded individuals from our core service areas (employment, education, and behavioral health) to learn from and reflect with others who do similar work. 

Q: Please explain what your program does, and how you might explain it to a young person? 

A: SSYI offers eligible individuals intentional wraparound service needed to be a successful person in their community by connecting them with meaningful case managers who then connect them with supportive education, employment, and behavioral health services. 

Explaining SSYI to a young person will vary depending on who the individual is, “one size does not fit all.” However, before going into a conversation with a young person I would first find out what drives them every day. We pride ourselves on meeting them where they are at and understanding that they are the decision makers in their life and that we are here to challenge and support them along the way. I would say something like “SSYI is a program to support individuals like you, who have had to make difficult choices in their personal life, and we can offer you a different perspective and path. We can help you complete your HiSet, secure a good job, or connect with someone else who can support you through counseling. I’m here to advocate for your needs and ensure you are being heard.” 

Q: What inspired you to join SSYI, and how do you see the program influencing young people across the state?  

 A: I was inspired to join SSYI because I started working with justice impacted-youth from the very beginning of my career and I always felt that I could use my experience in direct service to share their voices and to inform those stakeholders across the state. 

Q: What’s one skill or value you hope every young person takes away from working with an SSYI program? 

 A: My hope is that a young person who enters the SSYI program will truly understand their value. They matter no matter the choices they have made and that there are people rooting for their success no matter the peaks and valleys along the way. Even if I don’t know them by name, I carry their stories in my heart and in every meeting I attend. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?  

 A: One piece of advice I would give is to ALWAYS be yourself! Your story, quirks, unique hobbies, and lessons learned will be your greatest asset.