CSULB Master of Social Work: Applied Capstone Project

Empowering Wilmington’s Youth: Life Skills Lab Initiative

Hello friends and supporters,

We are the Common Grounds team, a group of passionate Master of Social Work students from California State University, Long Beach. Our mission is to address homelessness and housing instability in Wilmington, CA, by equipping youth and young adults with essential life skills through our Life Skills Lab initiative.

Wilmington is a vibrant community with deep cultural roots, yet it faces critical challenges. Over 21% of residents live below the poverty line, and nearly 39% lack a high school diploma. The housing crisis, combined with unemployment and limited educational opportunities, has made it difficult for many young people to build stable futures. Our Life Skills Lab is designed to tackle these challenges head-on by empowering youth with tools for self-sufficiency and success.

What Is the Life Skills Lab? Our program will host workshops covering:

Resume Building & Interview Skills: Helping youth secure jobs.

Financial Literacy: Teaching the basics of managing money and building credit.

Higher Education Readiness: Providing pathways to college or trade schools.

How Your Support Will Help: Your contributions will directly fund:

Workshop Supplies: Notebooks, pens, and educational materials.

Incentives for Participants: Laptops and gift cards to encourage engagement.

Scholarships for Outstanding Participants: Offering small scholarships to exceptional participants who demonstrate dedication and potential during the program. These scholarships will help cover costs for education, training, or certifications.

Program Implementation: Refreshments and resources for a welcoming learning environment.

Join Us in Building Brighter Futures: By supporting our campaign, you’re helping Wilmington’s youth break cycles of poverty and housing instability. Together, we can create opportunities for these young individuals to thrive and contribute positively to their community.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Thank you for being part of this journey to uplift Wilmington’s next generation.

Please share this campaign with your friends and family to help spread the word!

With gratitude,

The Common Grounds Team

Note: Donations will also help sustain this program as a long-term intervention for at-risk youth.