In 2006, the YouthBuild Program was transferred from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This was done to more effectively align the YouthBuild program with existing federal youth workforce and
training programs.
According to the DOL website, in 2007, six Illinois providers received federal YouthBuild funding:
- Comprehensive Community Solutions Inc. (Rockford) $547,500
- Emmerson Park Development Corporation (East St Louis) $550,000
- YouthBuild McLean (Bloomington) $550,000
- United Methodist Children's Home (Mount Vernon) $403,000
- Youth Conservation Corps (Waukegan) $350,000
- Quad County Urban League Inc. (Aurora) $550,000
YouthBuild USA
YouthBuild USA represents and advocates for YouthBuild programs. Since its founding in 1990, YouthBuild USA has guided the development of the national YouthBuild network of more than 226 local programs in 44 states that act in collaboration to improve
their outcomes and impact.
YouthBuild USA provides local YouthBuild sites with national and regional trainings; onsite and telephone technical assistance; grants and loans amounting to several million dollars per year in public and private funds; quality assurance through the
management of the YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network; and YouthBuild USA Extranet with resources specifically for YouthBuild programs.
YouthBuild International
YouthBuild International is a subsidiary of YouthBuild USA, Inc. that provides technical assistance, training, consultation, and other resources to governments, bi-lateral and multilateral donors, schools, non-government organizations (NGOs), and
youth groups in the areas of youth training and employment, youth enterprise, NGO capacity building, youth leadership, civic engagement, youth policy, program design, construction, and community revitalization. According to their website,
internationally, YouthBuild has engaged with programs in South Africa, Palestinian Territories, Serbia, Mexico, Israel, Canada, Haiti, Timor Leste, Scotland, and Central America.
YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network
The YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network (AffNet) sets program design and performance standards, collects and analyzes data on YouthBuild program outcomes, and accredits outstanding programs. AffNet was created in 1992 to maintain the integrity of the
YouthBuild program model, to provide a support and learning network for YouthBuild program staff, and to strengthen the Youth Build movement in its advocacy for low-income youth.
The AffNet is currently made up of over 145 YouthBuild programs that have committed to uphold the YouthBuild philosophy, program design and performance standards. Affiliates are eligible for a variety of benefits including grants, loans, and
leadership opportunities for directors and youth.
All IDHS-funded YouthBuild providers are required to be members of the YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network.
National YouthBuild Coalition
The National YouthBuild Coalition seeks to persuade the United States government to fund local communities to train and employ young people to serve their neighborhoods by building affordable housing for homeless and other low-income people.
The National YouthBuild Coalition, which is organized by YouthBuild USA, has generated State YouthBuild Coalitions in Georgia, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Missouri Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, New Jersey, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and
California. These coalitions, which focus on obtaining state funding, are led by directors of local YouthBuild programs in cooperation with YouthBuild USA.
Illinois YouthBuild Coalition
The Illinois YouthBuild Coalition (IYC) advocates for increased resources, programs, public and private involvement, and public recognition of the need for concerted efforts directed toward expanding employment opportunities for poor, disadvantaged,
and minority youth in Illinois. It also seeks to assist and fund local communities to employ and train young people to serve their neighborhoods by building affordable housing for homeless and other lowincome individuals.
IYC represents all (current and former) state and federally funded YouthBuild-affiliated programs in Illinois. IYC is a voluntary organization and offers its members access to information about membership in the National YouthBuild Coalition;
opportunities for training and technical assistance; YouthBuild publications; and material and advocacy for youth issues in Illinois.
The nine Illinois program affiliates currently involved with the Coalition are located in Rockford, Bloomington, East St. Louis, Waukegan, Aurora, Lake County, Rock Island, Mt. Vernon and Chicago.
