For the closing ceremonies of the YouthBuild AmeriCorps Green Homebuilding Service Day on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., young adults from YouthBuild marched across a stage carrying large cardboard keys representing the number of homes YouthBuild has built; the numbers added up to over 16,000 nation wide.

Photo Credit: Zimbio

During the March event, Michelle Obama and 100 YouthBuild students and alumni built an affordable, energy-efficient home for a family in Texas. The home was built using recycled wood, cement siding, and energy efficient windows. Once complete, the house will be moved to Brownsville, Texas for a family displaced by Hurricane Dolly last July.

YouthBuild, a non-profit organization, just celebrated its 30-year anniversary. Founded by Richard Halpin in East Harlem, N.Y. in 1978, the organization works with low-income youths who are between the ages of 16 to 24 and have troubled backgrounds in drugs, gangs, or homelessness. The program helps transform their lives and roles in society in a positive direction as they serve their communities building affordable housing. Part of the transformation is that while these young people are busy learning construction skills, learning valuable job training, and building homes for their communities, they’re also working toward their GED or high school diploma.

YouthBuild’s family atmosphere and mentorship, which are new experiences for many of these young folk, are helping turn troubled lives around. The youth and community development program address many issues facing low-income communities, such as education, employment, housing, crime prevention, and leadership development.

The full-time program lasts from 6 to 24 months. The participant’s time is divided between the construction site and YouthBuilds alternative school.

Photo Credit: neparentchild.org

Over the years, YouthBuild has grown into a number of things at once:

• An alternative school that allows one-on-one attention to students.
• A community service program building housing for homeless and other low-income families.
• A job training and pre-apprenticeship program.
• A leadership development and civic engagement program.
• A youth development program where youth participate in personal counseling, peer support groups, and life planning processes.
• A long-term mini-community where youth make new friends that are committed to a positive lifestyle.
• A community development program that builds and manages housing for its residents, educates and inspires youths, prevents crime, creates future leadership, and takes responsibility for neighborhoods.

Resources:

http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/03/18/michelle-obama-promotes-green-building-community-service-on-national-mall/

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