Coalition Members

Clearwater

An intensive community-based alternative education program for at-risk young adults, ages 17 through 24 – Tampa Bay YouthBuild aims to unleash the intelligence and positive energy of low-income young people in Pinellas County.

 

For more than 15 years, their program has allowed students to gain valuable paid occupational skills training experience in the construction trades and receive industry certifications. All the while, they will be working toward earning their GED and serving their communities by working on local improvement projects.

 

Take a look at the training and work experience provided to a YouthBuild participant (news clip and video):

Fort Pierce

Building Fort Pierce YouthBuild Program is a partnership between Indian River State College, CareerSource Research Coast Youth Connections Program, Habitat for Humanity of St. Lucie County, the Treasure Coast Builder’s Association and the City of Fort Pierce.

 

With the contributions of many local skilled trade employers and other community organizations, young men and women, ages 16-24, devote their time to building homes for local needy families all while earning their GED and occupational credentials in the skilled construction trades, and making money while they’re at it!

 

Read about how Building Fort Pierce YouthBuild students volunteered to help construct a tiny home for auction (news clip):

Gainesville

In 2009, IWI launched Alachua YouthBuild in Gainesville, Florida, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Now operating as Project YouthBuild, their goal is to improve the lives of young people within our community.

 

This transformation is accomplished through an intensive 7-month program where students study for their high school diploma, build and rehabilitate low income housing, earn nationally recognized construction certifications, and develop leadership, life, and employability skills.

 

Read about the impact YouthBuild is making for Kimesha Mann (news clip):

Kissimmee

Launched July 2017, Valencia College has partnered with YouthBuild USA to educate and empower students by building a sustainable pathway to a better career using a combination of academics and vocational training as well as life skills training. The goal of the grant is not only to help students earn their high-school diploma, but to transform their lives and help them find full-time employment that pays more than minimum wage.

 

Students divide their time between studying for the GED test each morning and then spending their afternoons in construction classes, earning their diploma within two to six months.

 

While many programs aimed at students who did not complete high school pay them a weekly stipend as incentive to keep showing up for classes, Valencia College YouthBuild established both short- and long-term goals for the students wherein, each time a goal is met, the student is rewarded.

 

Read about the impact Valencia College YouthBuild is making in the lives of their students (news clip):

Oakland Park

A community-based job training and development center – Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of South Florida YouthBuild offers young adults assistance with paving a career pathway which will include case management, employability skills training, industry approved and in demand vocational training and employment placement.

 

With funding from their partners (Children’s Services Council, Family and Youth Services Bureau and the U.S Department of Labor), and in partnership with Broward County Public Schools, OIC’s youth programs offer student enrichment opportunities “inside” and “out- side” of the classroom. They provide youth with structured environments aimed at increasing their academic proficiency, emotional and social development, decision-making skills, and family strengthening. The core of OIC’s YouthBuild program is to prepare tomorrow’s leaders for career readiness and to equip them with the essential tools to develop healthy relationships, set and pursue goals, and make healthy choices. They have dedicated Youth and Family Services and Workforce Development staff who are passionate about mentoring and educating youth about continuous improvement.

 

Listen to program graduates share their stories of hope and success (video):

Ocala

Phoenix Rising YouthBuild has a unique approach to their recruitment process.  Participants must complete a two-week challenge course prior to being officially enrolled in the program.  Once enrolled, participants receive 16 weeks of hands-on classroom training designed to develop workforce skills that lead to successful employment as well as the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or GED, if needed.  They also receive industry-recognized certifications in construction and other occupations.  In their partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Phoenix Rising participants

 

Phoenix Rising YouthBuild has become a national model of what communities can build when working together. It has earned recognition from the Florida League of Cities, National League of Cities, Harvard’s School of Business, and has received Habitat for Humanity International’s highest honor, the Clarence E. Jordan Award for creativity and innovation in building homes and communities.

 

Take a look at some of the projects the youth have helped complete

Lakeland

Accompanied by a strong emphasis on personal development, leadership development, job placement and community service, YouthBuild Lakeland was founded in 2007 with the mission to help young adults, 18 to 24 years of age, who have dropped out of high school and want to work toward improving their lives.

 

While in the full-time, six-month program, participants receive classroom instruction in preparation for the GED exam. In addition, participants work on a Habitat for Humanity work site where they receive hands-on training in construction by building affordable housing for low-income families.

 

Read about how Program Manager, Janiene Bambridge created a shift in the program.

Miami

Established in 1990 as a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, Greater Miami Service Corps (GMSC) is one of over 150 service and conservation corps whose services are designed to improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of youth to move toward achieving their full potential through youth development services and the leveraging of public and private resources.

 

Launched in 2006, GMSC YouthBuild gives its participants the second chance most of them come seeking. For their efforts, their young people receive guidance by adult leaders who serve as mentors and role models; a modest stipend and a wide range of member development services including significant educational opportunities, scholarships, career preparation and the opportunity to invest in their communities. Many of the youth served are emancipated from foster care, former offenders, may have dropped out of school or are deficient in basic skills and some who are single parents.

 

Check out GMSC’s young adults discussing challenges and change.

Tampa

While the community-based YouthBuild TBAH program provides alternative education to youth in Hillsborough County, they simultaneously address several core issues important to low-income communities such as affordable housing, education, employment, leadership development, and energy efficiency. 

 

YouthBuild TBAH students are given the opportunity to give back to the community by working with Feeding Tampa Bay – part of the national Feeding America network, focuses on providing food to the hundreds of thousands of food insecure families in the 10- county area of West Central Florida. Through their affiliation with Keep America Beautiful, YouthBuild TBAH helps inspire and educate people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. They envision a country where every community is a clean, green and beautiful place to live. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 600 community-based Keep America Beautiful affiliates and millions of volunteers. Keep America Beautiful brings people together to transform public spaces into beautiful places.

 

Learn more about Tampa Bay Academy of Hope 

Tampa

Tampa Housing Authority YouthBuild (THAY) focuses on young people 16-24, primarily those that may have dropped out of high school, have had trouble with the law, and/or need guidance and direction.  The program runs every six to nine months with about 20 students.  In addition to construction, life and leadership skills are key components of the program.

 

THAY program has an 82 percent success rate for placement in education or employment and a 81 percent rate for students attaining a degree or certificate.

 

Learn more about the Tampa Housing Authority YouthBuild program.