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Monday, January 31, 2005 2:19 PM
Youthbuild Austin provides fresh start
Compiled By
Hilda Ochoa
Austin Times Staff
For young people whose New Year’s resolution is to finish school, find
a new job, and explore new career possibilities this may be your year!
Youthbuild Austin, a new program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development and administered by the Austin/Travis County Health
and Human Services Department’s Family and Youth Services Unit, supports
unemployed and undereducated youth between the ages 16 to 24 while they work
toward their GED and learn construction skills by building affordable housing
for the homeless and low-income families in connection with Habitat for Humanity.
Youthbuild Austin’s mission is to unleash the intelligence and positive
energy of low-income youth to rebuild their communities and their lives through
education, construction and professional development.
Family and Youth Services manager Donna Jackson said the targeting of this
population of youth has been a long-term priority.
“We are very familiar with the challenges facing disconnected youth
as they enter adulthood without a high school diploma or marketable skills,”
Jackson said. “Many have given up on completing their education, and
many have just given up hope--period. Youthbuild Austin is here to replace
that hope.
“Providing youth with the tools to become self-sufficient and maximize
their potential, while giving back to their community is an awesome opportunity
and a life-changing enterprise.”
Qualified Youthbuild Austin participants will benefit by receiving: GED preparation
and instruction, traditional and high-tech construction training, job readiness,
leadership and life-skills training, career and apprenticeship assistance,
continuing education assistance and certification by the National Center for
Construction and Education Research.
Interested applicants should meet the following requirements:
# Male/Female residents of Austin between the ages 16 to 24.
# High school drop-out or GED student (may have completed parts of, or are
currently seeking GED).
# Drug free.
# Interested in learning construction.
# Motivated and committed to helping better their community.
Youthbuild Austin classes begin February 7 with a two-week orientation called
“Mental Toughness.” During this period, participants will receive
an introduction to construction work, leadership development, team building
activities and personal development. Classes are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
Youthbuild Austin is a collaboration of committed agencies joined to build
better lives. The collaboration includes, Austin Independent School District,
Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services, and the State Bar of Texas Law
Related Education.
Contact: Robert Flocke, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department,
(512) 972-5253
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