What Happens When a Young Person Gets the Chance to Discover What’s Possibl

Kahmari has always been someone with a creative mind and a lot of interests. He is an excellent artist, an avid gamer, and a talented cook with a few impressive recipes up his sleeve—including his famous Cajun chicken Alfredo and a family heirloom tuna salad.

When Kahmari joined our Supportive Services for Transition Age Youth (STAY), and began working with our Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) team, he was ready to take on something new: finding his first job and exploring what he might want to do professionally.

His interests gave his Employment and Education Specialist, Hi’ilani Thain, a place to start. Kahmari enjoyed working with his hands and had a strong interest in art, so Hi’ilani connected him with woodworking and welding classes at an Oakland arts school. The hands-on experience allowed Kahmari to build new skills while exploring a potential path toward working as a studio technician.

At the same time, Kahmari and his care team continued exploring employment opportunities that aligned with his interests in culinary work, food service, and construction.

Then, Kahmari reached an important milestone: he got his first job.

Getting there took persistence and preparation. With support from his care team, Kahmari learned to navigate the job-search process, participate in interviews, and recognize his own abilities. Each new experience helped him build confidence and a stronger sense of what he could accomplish.

“I’ve learned that I can do more than I thought I could. Trying new things has helped me figure out what I’m good at, what I enjoy, and what I want to work toward next.”— Kahmari, Fred Finch participant

Kahmari’s journey with Fred Finch continued as he transitioned from STAY into the Rising Oaks , a transitional housing program for young adults focused on helping residents build the skills, confidence, and foundation they need to move toward independence at our Oakland campus. This next chapter gave Kahmari the opportunity to continue building on the progress he had already made while working toward new goals.

And he did just that.

Kahmari completed guard training and earned his security certification, adding another accomplishment and career path to the skills and experiences he has gained along the way. Today, he is pursuing opportunities in the security field and continuing to explore where his strengths and interests can take him.

For Hi’ilani, one of the most meaningful parts of Kahmari’s journey has been seeing his confidence grow as he continues to discover his strengths.

“Kahmari has continued to grow by being willing to try new things and learn from each experience. What’s been exciting is seeing his confidence grow as he recognizes his own strengths and realizes that there are different paths he can explore.”— Hi’ilani Thain, Employment and Education Specialist

For Kahmari, success has not been about following one predetermined path. It has been about having the opportunity to try, learn, build confidence, and discover what comes next—with people around him who continue to support his goals along the way.

His story is a reminder that when young people have the opportunity to explore their strengths and the support to keep moving forward, one accomplishment can become the starting point for the next.

Learn more about the STAY program.