News Summary
The YouthBuild Phoenix program is giving young adults aged 17-24 a chance to enhance their educational and employment prospects. Participants can earn a GED while gaining hands-on construction experience and community service skills. With a new cohort starting soon, the program aims to empower youth through job readiness training. The initiative, which has received significant funding, focuses on reintegrating young adults into society and revitalizing neighborhoods through practical training in various industries.
Phoenix – A significant opportunity for young adults looking to improve their educational and career prospects has emerged through the YouthBuild Phoenix program. Tailored for individuals between the ages of 17 and 24, this initiative provides a unique blend of classroom education aimed at obtaining a General Educational Development (GED) certificate alongside practical experience in construction and community service. Operated in partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa and Habitat for Humanity, the program aims to empower participants through job readiness skills, industry certifications, and hands-on building projects.
The YouthBuild Phoenix program recently held an open house event to recruit 24 new students for its 15th cohort of the Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program. This program, now in its 11th year, focuses on helping young adults reintegrate into society while offering them necessary academic and professional training. Interested candidates are encouraged to attend one of the detailed program overview sessions scheduled for September 30 at 10 a.m. and October 4 at 2 p.m. at the CareerSource CLM career center in Ocala. Due to limited space, participants are required to schedule their attendance in advance.
The selection process for the YouthBuild program is comprehensive, involving team-building exercises and assessments designed to gauge the mental toughness and resilience of candidates. After successful selection, classroom training is set to commence on November 2, with construction activities tentatively slated to begin in January 2023. This year, the program has received a substantial $844,712 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, which will provide training for 48 students and facilitate the construction of four homes.
Since its inception, the YouthBuild Phoenix program has achieved notable success, with 291 young adults graduating from its programs in Marion and Citrus counties. Among these graduates, 105 have successfully earned their high school diplomas, and 250 participants have either found employment or pursued postsecondary education or training. Collectively, participants have gained an impressive 1,307 industry certifications in fields such as forklift operation, OSHA compliance, food handling, carpentry, and customer service, preparing them for diverse career paths.
The positive impact of the Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program extends beyond individual empowerment. By revitalizing economically challenged neighborhoods, the program also aims to foster community development and improve living conditions for residents. The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the U.S. Department of Labor, which had recently announced a separate $1.1 million grant for the YouthBuild program in Phoenix to assist at-risk youth in obtaining a high school education and vocational training in construction.
Local officials, including Mayor Kent Guinn, have praised the YouthBuild program for its transformative potential and encourage interested young adults to seize this valuable opportunity. The extensive collaboration among various local organizations and government bodies, including CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, has been instrumental in the program’s success and accessibility.
The YouthBuild initiative, which is part of a nationwide effort to address opportunity gaps and educational inequalities among youth in the United States, was recently awarded a total of $76 million in grants. This funding is aimed at supporting similar programs across the country, ensuring that young people have access to the resources and training necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market.
As YouthBuild Phoenix embarks on another academic year, participants are not only given the chance to improve their academic credentials but also to contribute meaningfully to their communities while gaining valuable skills for their futures.
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Additional Resources
- Ocala: Phoenix Rising Program
- ABC15: Students Get a Second Chance
- AZCentral: YouthBuild Grant for At-Risk Youth
- Ocala: YouthBuild Provides Diplomas and Skills
- Ocala: 13 Students Complete YouthBuild Program
- Wikipedia: YouthBuild
- Google Search: YouthBuild program
- Google Scholar: YouthBuild program
- Encyclopedia Britannica: YouthBuild
- Google News: YouthBuild
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
