The mission of the PONY program is to promote the success, health, and safety of Native young people during their transition into adulthood.
Preparing Oakland Native Youth (PONY) offers guidance and support for older youth (ages 14-21) to reconnect with their goals and prepare for adulthood through workshops, mentoring, case management, counseling, cultural programs, and field trips. The PONY program was developed to address the lack of consistent programs aimed at assisting underserved Native youth living in Oakland and surrounding communities. This is a high need population with untapped and boundless potential not engaged with services. PONY staff offer guidance and support for youth to reconnect with their goals and prepare for adulthood through a holistic approach including culturally-based training workshops, mentoring, case management, therapeutic services, counseling, and workshops. All services utilize strengths-based, trauma-informed, and love-focused interventions to empower young people to use their gifts to be successful and healthy.
The PONY Program supports young people by:
Helping to identify goals
Applying for tribal enrollment
Getting an ID card, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.
Getting back into high school
Enrolling in a GED program
Applying for college and figuring out financial aid
Finding a training program that fits
Creating a resume and preparing for the job search
Currently this program is on hiatus.