The YouthBuild Program

“There’s a lot of love in YouthBuild, and some day we’re going to spread it around the world.”

Victor Ortiz, age 17, Youth Action Program (1981)

Purpose of YouthBuild

To unleash the positive energy of unemployed, low-income young adults to rebuild their communities and their own lives with a commitment to work, education, responsibility and family.

Benchmarks of Graduate Success• Success in postsecondary education or

credential attainment• Building towards or maintaining a family

sustaining wage and satisfying career• Creating a positive personal and social

support network• Engaging and providing leadership in

community affairs• Caring for emotional and physical health• Building financial and other life assets

5 YB Components

EDUCATION ● academic skills

● numeracy & literacy gains● high school credential

● vocational skills ● college success skills

CONSTRUCTION● supervised training

● career success skills● vocational education ● pre-apprenticeship

● certifications ● green bldg

CASE MGMT● peer counseling

● individual counseling● mentoring

● life skills development ● individual development

goals

GRADUATE RESOURCES

● college counseling● pre-employment trng

● pre-apprenticeship trng● career counseling● ongoing supports

LEADERSHIP ● decision making● group facilitation

● program leadership roles● public speaking

● community service● advocacy

A Typical YouthBuild Program

• 30 - 200+ young people• 16 - 24 years of age• GED or High School Diploma and postsecondary

readiness• Career tracks in construction, health care and technology• 9 - 24 months long• Caring, competent staff• Meaningful community service

YouthBuild Facts

Male 71%Female 29%

African American 54%White 22%Latino 20%Adjudicated 32%On Public Assistance 45%

Parents 31%Average Age 19.6

YouthBuild Facts• 273 programs in 45 states, 105 DOL funded• Expansion into 14+ countries internationally• 10,000 young people now in YouthBuild

programs in the U.S.• 100,000 young people have built 20,000 units

of affordable housing since 1994• $980M in federal funding since 1992 (HUD

and DOL)• Eight federal agencies fund YouthBuild

programs in addition to state and local funds, private philanthropic funds, corporate funds, and other entrepreneurial and fee for service activities

Success Highlights of Graduates**

• 74.6% were working, going to school and/or in job training

(2004)

• 76.2% were free of government supports and not

receiving food stamps, welfare payments or

unemployment benefits

• 85% had some involvement with the community

• 92% had positive attitudes

• 80% were free of negative behaviors (selling and using

drugs, misusing alcohol, etc.)

• 35 year difference between how long they expected to live

before and after participating in YouthBuild (40 years to 75

years)** Source: “Life After YouthBuild” study of 882 graduates. Brandeis and Temple Universities. 2004

Civic Engagement

• 68.1% Registered to vote• 47.9% Participated in a community

organization or did volunteer work• 46.5% Voted in one or more elections• 14.2% Engaged in a leadership role by serving

on a community council or board• 7.3% Got involved in political effort or electoral

campaign• 1.3% Ran for office

YouthBuild’s Formula for Success

• Respectful, positive, caring, collaborative relationships between adults and youth

• In a safe, supportive learning environment

• Mastering new skills, knowledge and attitudes for school, work, family and leadership

• Building tangible community assets in service to others in need

• Creating hope and opportunity for one’s future