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YOUTH BUILD ILLINOIS PROGRAMS
Program Name:
Tomorrows Builders YouthBuild
Service Area:
East St. Louis, IL
Program Description
Tomorrows Builders YouthBuild serves some of the most at-risk youth in the region, coming from the communities of Alorton, Centreville, East St. Louis, and Washington Park. Ninety eight (98) percent of the targeted area for this program comprises East
St. Louis District #189.
Upon enrollment, youth immediately start a one-year carpenter pre-apprenticeship program consisting of 26 weeks classroom, 26 weeks on-site, and six months of job placement assistance and retention. Forty-five participants are accepted at one time,
who are then divided into three groups of 15. The youth spend equal time in the classroom and on the job site, alternating a week in class with a week at work. Within the classroom setting, youth are divided into learning groups consistent with skill
attainment level. Some youth begin by being placed in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and later move up to classes preparing for GED testing. More advanced youth start out in GED preparation classes. A counselor is assigned to each trainee to monitor
progress in the program.
Eligibility Criteria
Low-income youth aged 16 to 24 years from St. Clair or Madison Counties and in need of a high school diploma are eligible for this program. All participants must complete a four-week mental toughness program screening process. Students engaged in drug
use upon entering the program are allowed to continue in the program provided they attend a six week substance abuse program and pass a drug test at the end of those six weeks. Failing a drug test later in the year when randomly tested will result in
being dropped from the program. Youth must demonstrate construction aptitude and agree to become work-ready in personal appearance, grooming and clothing style according to the trainee Handbook and Contract before being accepted into the program.
Program Components
Education - Classroom work
Low-income youth aged 16 to 24 years from St. Clair or Madison Counties and in need of a high school diploma are eligible for this program. All participants must complete a four-week mental toughness program screening process. Students engaged in drug
use upon entering the program are allowed to continue in the program provided they attend a six week substance abuse program and pass a drug test at the end of those six weeks. Failing a drug test later in the year when randomly tested will result in
being dropped from the program. Youth must demonstrate construction aptitude and agree to become work-ready in personal appearance, grooming and clothing style according to the trainee Handbook and Contract before being accepted into the program.
Vocational - On-Site Work
On-site Work consists of rehabilitation of at least one home and the construction of one new home. Trades learned during rehabilitation include carpentry, electrical, roofing, landscaping, plumbing, dry walling, replacing doors and windows, framing,
and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) work. New construction skills are inclusive of the skills previously enumerated with the addition of getting blueprints approved, requesting permits, bidding scheduling, ordering materials, digging for
foundations, concrete framework and masonry, getting new homeowners approved, and sale of structures.
2008 Program Funding Sources & Partnerships
(All non-state funding amounts were self reported)
| Type |
Who |
Amount |
| Federal: |
DOL, HUD, ISBE, AmeriCorps, NSI, YouthBuild USA |
$1,000,000 |
| State: |
IDHS |
$73,542 |
| Other (Private/Public): |
|
None |
| In-Kind (Volunteers/Partnerships): |
Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, East St. Louis Township Office, St. Clair County Probation and Parole, Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance, Community Development Consultants. |
|
2008 Cost Per Youth
| Source |
Amount |
| Total Cost Per Youth (All Sources) |
$15,439 |
| Total Cost Per Youth (IDHS Funds Only) |
$1,987 |
2008 Program Statistics
| Header |
Data |
| Enrolled - YouthBuild Program |
37 |
| Demographic Information - Enrolled Participants |
| Gender |
| Males |
16 |
| Females |
21 |
| Race/Ethnicity |
| African American |
97% |
| Hispanic |
0% |
| White |
3% |
| Other |
| Average Age |
19 |
| Homeless Youth |
30 or 81% |
| Adjudicated Youth |
6 or 17% |
2008 Outcomes
| 2008 Outcomes |
Data |
| Youth Successfully Completing YouthBuild Program |
29 |
| Employment At program completion |
| # becoming gainfully employed |
21 |
| Average hourly wage |
$9.09 |
| # employed at 6 months |
yet to be determined |
| Education At Program Completion |
| Completed youth receiving diploma/GED |
17 |
| # enrolled in full-time post-secondary education |
11 |
| # in post-secondary education at 6 months |
yet to be determined |
| Housing Units |
| Housing units built |
12 |
| Housing units remodeled |
3 |
| Adjudicated Youth |
| Recidivism Rate |
3% |
