YouthBuild Services
YOUTH BUILD SERVICES
The YouthBuild Program is an 8-month intensive program that works with disadvantaged youth to give students the opportunity to earn their high school education and develop needed skills for the workplace and career development. Additionally, YouthBuild students participate in community development activities by building affordable housing for low income families, develop needed leadership skills, participate in community service activities, and earn credit toward post-secondary education scholarships through participation in AmeriCorps.
GED
YouthBuild students attend GED classes throughout the 8 month period they are enrolled and active in YouthBuild. Each of the required classes is studied and practice tests are taken to ensure understanding of subject areas and to help students prepare for testing. All testing is paid for by the program and extra tutoring is available if students are having problems in subject areas.
Job Training
Throughout the YouthBuild program, students are involved in skill development and work experience to prepare them for the world outside of Youthbuild. Experiences and job training will help them to obtain employment once the program is completed and they have graduated from YouthBuild. Job training and development of soft skills is a critical piece of Youthbuild and its job training.
Career Development
Career development is the next step in YouthBuild. Each student independently works with the Career Specialist to look at career opportunities after YouthBuild. Students are encouraged to job shadow within career interests and to pursue post-secondary education. Career specialists will work with students, along with college staff to answer questions, fill out applications, and Pell grant information.
Americorps
Students enrolled in YouthBuild are an automatic part of AmeriCorps. Here students have the opportunity to use their community service activities and service learning, and turn it into a college education. Through the AmeriCorps program, each student is able to complete 450 hours of service in trade for quarter time education awards up to 1,500 for college education that can be used up to seven years after YouthBuild/AmeriCorps graduation. All students must complete their service hours and obtain their GED in order to be eligible to receive their awards.
Leadership Development
Leadership is an automatic part of YouthBuild. Additionally students attend classes through the local community college for leadership development and receive college certification on a competency based curriculum that is administered by staff that has been certified by Arizona Western College to teach the class curriculum. Students attend classes throughout their YouthBuild enrollment.
Post-Secondary
Post-secondary education is available to every YouthBuild student that completes the Youthbuild program and obtains their GED. YouthBuild staff helps students with questions and provide opportunity for tours of local community colleges and trips to major Universities within the state so students can observe other avenues. Scholarships are available through AmeriCorps and other agencies that give awards. Students are encouraged to do their best in the program and staff advocate for student scholarships for college.
