YouthBuild is a well-established national education and training model. Operating as both an alternative school and job-training program, YouthBuild helps individuals who show they are motivated make significant changes that turn their lives around. For more, scroll down to this YouthBuild brochure.

With the home building industry as its backdrop, YouthBuild provides leadership training, education, community service and job training for youth who have lost their direction and need to rebuild their lives. The day-to-day activities of our YouthBuild program involve Bates Technical College providing education for GED completion, and on-the-job construction training in our community.

How to participate

YouthBuild is geared for young adults, ages 18-24. The program offers a paid stipend while requiring a daily commitment over nine months alternating between the classroom and work in the field.

The real impact

The real impact of the popular YouthBuild program is in transforming the lives of our community’s most seriously at-risk young adults.

In the 2007 class, 22 participants spent at least six months with the program. Of that group, 20 had entered unemployed, 19 had dropped out of school and 17 had spent time in jail or had an appearance in court. Nine were parents.

Among the successes of the 18 YouthBuild graduates in 2007:

• All improved math and reading by at least one grade level; nine attained GEDs by graduation; six have plans to start college.
• They have given more than 800 hours in volunteer service, including work on 10 homes that were either built, went through rehabilitation and had a wheelchair ramp installed or cleared to make way for new homes with the Tacoma Housing Authority.
• 12 have gotten jobs with salaries ranging from $8.50 to $14.33 per hour, all above the minimum wage, at companies like Safeway and Starbucks. Seven have plans to pursue careers in the trades through apprenticeships.

YouthBuild is not another program, it’s a life choice.
YouthBuild is not another program, it’s a new chance.
YouthBuild is not another program, it’s a future.

Tacoma Goodwill is pleased to provide this transformative, effective program that rebuilds a life as it builds a home.

The partners are YouthBuild USA, Rebuilding Together South Sound, Greater Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, Bates Technical College, Tacoma Housing Authority, Tacoma-Pierce County Employment & Training Consortium, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Carpenters Local 470, and LADS Local 1144.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUTHBUILD
Tacoma Goodwill
Bob Rowlands
714 S. 27th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
253.573.6746
browlands@tacomagoodwill.org