Services and Programs
Because of the increasing demand for a comprehensive approach, YouthBuild Louisville is simultaneously a number of things:
- Alternative school, in which young people earn their GEDs or high school diplomas by studying core academic areas full-time on alternate weeks. Classes are small, allowing one-on-one attention to students, and tutoring is available after hours.
- Job training and pre-apprenticeship program, in which young people get close supervision and training in construction skills full-time on alternate weeks from qualified instructors. Since spring 2015, YBL has offered four distinct career tracks: Construction, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), IT, and Urban Conservation Corps.
- Community service program, in which YBL students work toward 450 service hours and earn an AmeriCorps educational scholarship to apply toward higher education. Service projects not only promote a sense of stewardship to the Louisville community but also allow students to network with other organizations and individuals within the city and beyond. Service activities at YouthBuild Louisville include construction and affordable housing, local food and nutrition, environmental sustainability, beautification projects, and art education, among others.
- Leadership development and civic engagement program, in which young people share in the governance of their own program through an elected policy committee and participate actively in community affairs, learning the values and the lifelong commitment needed to be effective and ethical community leaders.
- Youth development program, in which young people participate in personal counseling, peer support groups, and life planning processes that assist them in healing from the past hurts, overcoming negative habits and attitudes, and achieving goals that will establish a productive life.
- Long-term mini-community, in which young people make new friends committed to a positive lifestyle, pursue cultural and recreational activities together, and can continue to participate for years through the YouthBuild alumni association.
- Community development program, in which community-based organizations obtain the resources to tackle several key community issues at once, strengthening their capacity to build and manage a house for their residents, educate and inspire their youth, create leadership for the future, and generally take responsibility for their neighborhoods.