Youth Build (YB) Fact Sheet

Program Description

Target

The Youth Build program enrolls youth and young adults aged 16 to 24 who have dropped out of school, are unemployed and/or have limited job skills.

Purpose

The purpose of the Youth Build program is to empower struggling teens and young adults. Youth Build focuses on academic goals while also helping youth to develop job skills by building homes for low-income families.

Services

Youth Build is a year-long, highly demanding program that prepares youth and young adults for the challenges they will face in today's world. The program offers young people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build their futures and their communities through education, leadership development, job training, and the rehabilitation and production of affordable housing.

Delivery Method

The Youth Build program is administered by four local communities. There is not one single model that can be applied to every Youth Build program. Although each Youth Build program is unique in its approach to addressing the needs of the community, all embrace the same basic principles. Youth benefit from the opportunity to join and function in a community; education comes not only from the classroom but from life skills learned from having to function as a team, maintain a job, manage money and speak effectively with one another; adults mentor students as they mature; and each site's unique approach addresses the complexities within their community.

Program Data

Program Effectiveness

• Youth gained employment skills and experience.
• Homes have been built for low income families.
• Youth have received a GED or equivalent.
• Youth exiting program have found employment and received a higher wage than upon entering the program.
• Annual reports for the Youth Build program were completed for the Governor and General Assembly for calendar years 2008 and 2009.