YouthBuild of the Pineywoods
Donation protected
YouthBuild of the Pinewoods (YBPW) is a nonprofit 16-month construction training & education program which consist of two phases; the active phase & the follow-up phase. YBPW engages low-income, at-risk young people, ages 18 to 24 with barriers to employment and/or education. Participants are chosen from small cities in rural Angelina and Nacogdoches County. The youth served through YBPW are not only high risk but are also impacted more heavily than adults by higher levels of poverty, lower education levels, and lower income levels which exist in these counties. The mission of YB is to guide participants through transforming their lives during increased education, training, and leadership opportunities that allow them to earn a living wage for themselves and their families.
During the active phase of the program participants have the opportunity to receive a number of internationally recognized credentials as well as their GED; if needed. These credentials will help the participants in the follow-up phase of the program to obtain permanent employment at a fair wage. YBPW participants do this while simultaneously building affordable housing for local low-income families through Habitat for Humanity. While also participating in construction-related service-learning activities that connect learning with civic engagement and provides them with hands on experience with construction-industry employers who will also serve as their mentors. YBPW participates also obtain various life skills and employability skills while in the program. Once participants have successfully graduated they transition from the active phase into the follow up phase where they are placed in permanent employment and/or secondary education. While employed or continuing their education YBPW staff is there supporting them and continuing to help them with any needs they may have.
Since the birth of the program in 2013 YBPW has enrolled 88 participants, 54 of whom have successfully completed the program with excellent outcomes for this hard to serve population. Of the 54 successfully completed participants, 43 were placed into employment, 7 entered into college, 21 earned their GED, 18 received Presidential Service Awards (for completing 100+ hours of community service) and only 7 participants reoffended. Of these participants they collectively earned 100+ credentials and participated in over 1,800 hours of service in our community.
The cost of training one student is $5000 from start to finish. The $5000 will pay for the internationally recognized credentials and training materials needed to prepare them for testing for those credentials. It will also cover GED prep material and testing, college prep material and testing, transportation to & from job sites, employment opportunities and much more.
In 2013 YBPW received DOL funding to start and sustain the program until March of 2016. Currently Goodwill of Central East Texas is paying to keep the program available to the community. YBPW is needing help to keep this amazing program open so that it can continue to produce self-sufficient active members of society. The funds are needed immediately & would be extremely grateful!
During the active phase of the program participants have the opportunity to receive a number of internationally recognized credentials as well as their GED; if needed. These credentials will help the participants in the follow-up phase of the program to obtain permanent employment at a fair wage. YBPW participants do this while simultaneously building affordable housing for local low-income families through Habitat for Humanity. While also participating in construction-related service-learning activities that connect learning with civic engagement and provides them with hands on experience with construction-industry employers who will also serve as their mentors. YBPW participates also obtain various life skills and employability skills while in the program. Once participants have successfully graduated they transition from the active phase into the follow up phase where they are placed in permanent employment and/or secondary education. While employed or continuing their education YBPW staff is there supporting them and continuing to help them with any needs they may have.
Since the birth of the program in 2013 YBPW has enrolled 88 participants, 54 of whom have successfully completed the program with excellent outcomes for this hard to serve population. Of the 54 successfully completed participants, 43 were placed into employment, 7 entered into college, 21 earned their GED, 18 received Presidential Service Awards (for completing 100+ hours of community service) and only 7 participants reoffended. Of these participants they collectively earned 100+ credentials and participated in over 1,800 hours of service in our community.
The cost of training one student is $5000 from start to finish. The $5000 will pay for the internationally recognized credentials and training materials needed to prepare them for testing for those credentials. It will also cover GED prep material and testing, college prep material and testing, transportation to & from job sites, employment opportunities and much more.
In 2013 YBPW received DOL funding to start and sustain the program until March of 2016. Currently Goodwill of Central East Texas is paying to keep the program available to the community. YBPW is needing help to keep this amazing program open so that it can continue to produce self-sufficient active members of society. The funds are needed immediately & would be extremely grateful!
Organizer
YouthBuild PineyWoods
Organizer
Lufkin, TX
