YouthBuild

Contact

Lisa Chandler - Career Development Director
(402) 471-4515
lchandler@lincoln-action.org

Sam Ross -- Youth Development and Employment Coordinator
(402) 471-4515
sross@lincoln-action.org

Program Description

The YouthBuild program uses a combination of education, employment skills, and hard work to give high school drop outs an alternative to a traditional educational setting. Program participants work toward their GED or high school diploma while gaining experience in the construction field by building affordable homes in the Lincoln community.

YouthBuild students who successfully complete the program receive help finding a job and/or applying for further education, as well as six months of follow-up support from YouthBuild staff at Lincoln Action Program. 

For more information on YouthBuild, visit the YouthBuild website.

The Program: Six Components

1) Education Program: Young people attend GED classes full-time on alternate weeks. Classes are small, allowing one-on-one attention to students.

2) Community Service Program: Young people build affordable housing in Lincoln providing a valuable and visible commodity for their communities.

3) Job Training: Young people get close supervision and training construction skills full-time on alternate weeks from qualified professionals.

4) Leadership Development: Young people share in the governance of their own program through an elevted policy committee, learning and the life-long commitment needed to be effective community leaders.

5) Youth Development: Young people participate in personal counseling, peer support groups, and life planning processes that assist them in overcoming negative habits and attitudes and pursuing achievable goals that will help them establish a productive life.

6) Long-Term Mini-Community: Young people make new friends committed to a postive lifestyle, pursue cultural and recreational activities together, and can continue to participate for years through the YouthBuild Alumni Association.