Youthbuild Program
The Youthbuild program provides specialized training for youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are at risk of not completing or have not completed their high school education.
Overview
Participants are trained in construction and other fields in the building trades, basic academic skills, and leadership. They also receive construction-based work experience.
Targeted participants include:
- High school dropouts and potential dropouts
- Youth at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system
- Chemically dependent youth
- Youth with disabilities
- Homeless youth
- Teen parents
- Public assistance recipients
The education component of the program focuses on applied basic skills with a problem-solving emphasis.
The work experience component provides youth with an opportunity to develop skills working with tools and performing job functions related to the renovation of residential units.
The leadership component provides youth with meaningful opportunities to develop decision making, problem solving, and negotiating skills.
A unique requirement of the program design is that the work projects must result in the expansion or improvement of residential units for homeless persons and low income families or social service, educational, or health facilities that primarily serve these populations. Communities benefit from highly visible renovation and construction projects undertaken by the program.