Steven - Another Success

 http://www.cloudandfire.org/blog/youthbuild-steven

The YouthBuild Program has over 140 different reconstruction projects in over 25 different states.  One such place is in San Fernando Valley; here, the Program is called Cloud and Fire. 

Another YouthBuild success story comes out of the Cloud and Fire Project.  This is the story of Steven, an 18 year old boy, who comes from a high school with a 76 percent drop out rate.

As a teen not too many of us were motivated to attend school.  Luckily, for most of us we had our parents there to eforce that we did.  Steven, however, was not as lucky; his parents were not as concerned with his education and never pushed him to go.  Among other things, this eventually resulted in Steven dropping out of school.

Unfortunately, for many that drop out, trying to go back to school when you're older is just an embarrassement.  To sit in a classroom with individuals years younger than you is unappealing.  this was just the case for Steven.  Luckily, the YouthBuild Program is different.  Steven was able to join the program and attend classes with individuals his age.

Steven is now well on his way to receiving his high school diploma.  He is an inspiration to many and proves that you can acheive anything if you stick with it and set your mind to it.

Sorng's Success Story

http://www.providenceplan.org/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_87_A_PageName_E_ybmeettrainees

Sorng Heng has a very fascinating story.  At a very young age Sorng moved to America with his family.  Through natural disaster, Sorng and his family ended up in a neighborhood with heavy gang activity.  With gang activity being so prevaliant today, this is not hard to believe. 

By the time Sorng was in high school, he was heavily into drugs and even sold them.  Due to this, Sorng was in and out of jail, which therefore caused him to be expelled from numerous schools.  Eventually, Sorng just stopped going to school all together.

Finally at the age of 22, Sorng connected with the YouthBuild Program.  The Program helped him earn his GED and gave him a solid foundation in construction.  He was eventually hired by YouthBuild and now helps train the struggling young adults to build homes.

It is amazing to see Sorng's success.  The YouthBuild Program offers outstanding opportunities for those that are struggling.  It is very inspiring to watch the teens and the program flourish!

YouthBuild in Kingsport, TN

http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014993


This article, written in July of 2009, focuses on YouthBuild's efforts in Kingsport, TN.  The article was written due to the fact that the Department of Labor gave the Kingsport, TN group over one million dollars in funding!  That is an incredible amount of money that took the organization far. 

With that money, YouthBuild USA was able to help sixty youth attain their GED's while they built four new homes.  As the Kingsport's project leader states, "I feel that they become an asset to the community rather than a liability."  This program is extremely beneficial to both the troubled young adults and to the communities that they live in.

10 Million Dollars!!!

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2010/06/somerville-based_organization.html


Every year, as a nonprofit, YouthBuild USA must raise money to redistribute.  With over 140 different project sites in over 25 states, the organization must find a way to fund all of these programs. 


Fortunately, this past June, the National Department of Labor awarded YouthBuild USA with ten million dollars!  This grant was open to all national organizations that serve young adult offenders and YouthBuild USA was one of two organizations that received the grant.


YouthBuild USA is doing amazing work.  To be one of only two organizations in the nation to be awarded the grant proves just that!

What is YouthBuild USA?

http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/79515227.html

There are many organizations like Youth Bureaus that strive to help young adults in need.  One such organization is YouthBuild USA.  This program has been up and running since 1990 and it's goal is to provide the necessary skills a struggling teen would need to go on and succeed in life. 

YouthBuild USA helps individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 who have dropped out of high school and are involved in negative activities.  The program helps these individuals earn their GEDs, and provides them with the knowledge of necessary job skills.  The participants also build low income housing for members of their community.  

Therefore, it is easy to see that this program not only helps develop the youth but also the communities that they live in.