The Youth Restoration Foundation is a national non-profit organization that provides post rehabilitation empowerment programs for youth recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. The foundation is committed to walking with the Kenyan youth on the path to recovery and prevention of substance use disorder. This includes long-term recovery support for individuals and families. Entrepreneurship is recognized as a viable avenue for facilitating economic inclusion for disadvantaged individuals and groups. Unfortunately, many substance use disorder treatment programs do not include components that promote meaningful employment, and employment opportunities available to individuals in recovery are often limited due to the stigmatized nature of substance use disorders.
The Youth Restoration Foundation identified a productive opportunity to develop employment pathways through entrepreneurship. YRF works by integrating vocational and entrepreneurship training to the post-rehabilitated youths by providing employment opportunities for individuals in recovery. This approach adopted is hands-on and comprises of group activities that facilitate peerto-peer support and group projects that teach computer literacy, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, baking, tailoring, networking, problem-solving, group cooperation, and self-esteem building. The entrepreneurial framework of YRF seeks to support efforts that open social and economic. opportunities beyond typical low-level employment, using the individual youth’s strengths-based recovery and resiliency such as starting their own businesses.
The Youth Restoration Foundation empowerment programs offer prevention and wellness initiatives provide resources to prevent the misuse of drugs and alcohol. This promotes healthy choices, bringing positive awareness to the disease of addiction and empower individuals to cope with life’s challenges advocating for substance-free lifestyles. YRF program courses range from 8 to 14 weeks.
