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Program Name:
YBMC, Inc. (YouthBuild McLean County)
Service Area:
McLean County
Program Description
YouthBuild McLean County (YBMC) is a 501 (c)(3) organization (incorporated in 1996) specifically designed to comprehensively and simultaneously address issues that impact the lower income areas of the McLean County community including high school
drop-outs and undereducated youth, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and disempowerment of disadvantaged young people. Since its inception, YBMC has built over 50 units of affordable housing in McLean County. The program enrolls 50 to 70 students
full-time for ten to eleven months each year. Students may earn a high school diploma or GED, AmeriCorps education awards, and industry certifications. Between 2002 and 2008, over 70 percent of the students completed the program, with over 50 percent
receiving their GED or diploma, and greater than 85 percent employed or enrolled in college upon exit. YBMC receives funds and/or services from the Department of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), AmeriCorps,
the Illinois Department of Human Services, as well as a variety of local corporations and foundations. YBMC has won awards or been recognized by The National Youth Employment Coalition, All-Means-All School to Work Award, and The Institute for
Educational Leadership. Additionally, YBMC has been accredited by YouthBuild USA.
Eligibility Criteria:
Low-income youth 17 to 24 years of age in need of a high school diploma are eligible for the program.
Program Components
Education
YBMC places strong emphasis on education. A curriculum approved by the Illinois State Board of Education is utilized. This curriculum is designed to be project-based, rigorous, and help students advance to the level required for college courses.
Vocational - On-Site Work
The vocational education provided by the program focuses on construction and rehabilitation of green, single and multi-family affordable housing. Industry-recognized certifications are offered in construction and property maintenance.
Leadership Development
Students are encouraged to develop their leadership skills by participating in service projects, civic engagement, and program and national leadership positions. In 2007-08 students completed over 27,000 hours of community service, with seven students
elected to the YBMC policy committee and 4 students elected to the National Young Leader's Council.
2008 Program Funding Sources & Partnerships
(All non-state funding amounts were self reported)
- Federal:
-
| Source |
Amount |
| HUD and DOL |
$1,556,493.75 |
- State
-
| Source |
Amount |
| IDHS |
$ 73,542 .00 |
- Other (Private/Public):
-
| Source |
Amount |
| (Private/Public): |
$264,285.66 |
2008 Cost Per Youth
| Source |
Amount |
| Total Cost Per Youth (All Sources) |
$16,522 |
| Total Cost Per Youth (IDHS Funds Only) |
$1,599 |
2008 Program Statistics
| Statistic |
Amount |
| Enrolled - YouthBuild Program |
46 |
Demographic Information - Enrolled Participants
| Demographic |
Participants |
| Gender |
| Males |
37 |
| Females |
9 |
| Race/Ethnicity |
| AA |
24 |
| Hispanic |
1 |
| Asian American |
0 |
| White |
21 |
| Other |
| Average Age |
19 |
| Homeless Youth |
8 |
| Adjudicated Youth |
24 |
| Youth needing GED |
39 |
2008 Outcomes
| Outcome |
Amount |
| Other |
| Youth Successfully Completing YouthBuild Program |
37 or 81% |
| Employment At Program Completion |
| # becoming gainfully employed |
19 or 51% |
| Average hourly wage |
$9.77 |
| # employed at 6 months |
to be determined |
| Education At Program Completion |
Completed youth receiving diploma/GED
(Five already had diplomas) |
27 or 84% |
| # enrolled in full-time post-secondary education |
17 or 46 % |
| # in post-secondary education in 6 months |
to be determined |
| Housing Units |
| Housing units built |
7 |
| Housing units remodeled |
0 |
| Recidivism |
| Adjudicated Youth Recidivism Rate |
unknown |
