Youth build is a National organization that provides programs to low income residences, ages 16 to 24 work full-time for 6 to 24 months towards their high school/ GED diplomas while learning job skills by building affordable housing in their communities. Leadership development, community service, and group bonding are all emphasized areas of focus for the adults, and youth committed to each other success. Youth may earn a chance to win AmeriCorps education awards through developing these areas of focus. At the end of the program youth members are generally college bond before they even leave or, at least have planned the next step in their lives. The Youth build organization has grown exponentially to 246 sites in over 46 States plus the Virgin Islands.

Today Youth Build participants go through channals of work and school through their community Youth Build programs provided by Youth Build USA the center of all community programs.

The work programs are regulated by several general contractors in the area of each individual building, so here in Mclean our main general contractor is John Capodice who owns Capodice Property and Home inspections is our communities’ main guidance towards building affordable living. Our young residents develop the basic skills needed on the job such as:

Prepare job site when you get there. (Ex: cords/air hoses plugged into necessary tools)
Clean any area about to be worked in.
Always come prepared
self teaching

Students teaching each other about basic circuitry using the flow of water in the Development Center.

Youth Build has three year round school programs all ran by college students trying to become a teacher needing a job shadowing opportunity. Here in Mclean theses are general ISU students who typically learn just as much from their students as they are teaching. Classes include all basic level subjects such as math, science, literature, and social studies. The Youth take a test to determine what level of education they should receive. Just like high school the more advanced the classes get, the closer to graduation you become. These three year round programs are:

Youth Build Academy: An independent diploma-granting school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education serving young people in the McLean County area.

Youth Build Charter School: is a diploma granting charter school of the McLean County Unit 5 School District serving young people who reside in the Unit 5 boundaries.

Youth Build GED Program: serves young people who are seeking to conquer the GED test. Education is designed not only to pass the GED, but also to prepare the student for continuing education.

Youth Build fun fact: No bells or whistles are used to signal the end of classes. Instructors stay until all students feel confident about the material introduced, and transportation is Five dollar fee with a Twenty-Five dollar entry fee. Now that’s Cheap!

Video! http://youthbuildmcleancounty.org/wordpress/congratulations-class-of-2013/

Practical Schedule:

8/26/2013 First Day of School

9/2/2013 No School – Labor Day

9/11/2013 September 11^th Remembrance and Service Day

10/14/2013 No School – Columbus Day

10/25/2013 No School – Staff In-service Day

10/26/2013 Make a Difference Day of Service

11/27/2013 No School – Staff In-service Day

11/28-11/29/2013 No School – Thanksgiving Break

12/13/13 Tentative Winter Graduation

12/20/13 Last Day of Fall Term

12/23/13-1/4/2014 No School – Winter Break

1/20/14 MLK Jr Day of Service

2/17/14 No School – President’s Day

2/18/14 No School – Staff In-service Day

3/24-3/28/14 No School – Spring Break

4/11-4/13/14 Global Youth Service Day

4/17/14 No School – Staff In-service Day

4/18/14 No School – Staff In-service Day

5/26/14 No School – Memorial Day

6/4/14 Tentative Spring Graduation/Last Day of Spring Term

6/30-7/4/14 No School – Summer Break

8/15/14 School Calendar Last Day/Summer Term Last Day

The Work –Force: Current projects are located in the Stoneman Gardens subdivision of Carlock, IL – a community located 15 minutes from Bloomington/Normal. Homes are built with energy saving features and are designed using environmentally friendly construction techniques and materials. All participants receive education throughout the construction process to better assist them with continued maintenance and construction projects after the home is complete.

The School-Force:

Staff member Laura Fox, a CERT instructor, builds on the students’ work in their core curriculum as they explore the science of disasters,effective communication, team work, and current events.YouthBuild students worked with instructor Adam Herrmann to model the phenomenon of tectonic plates using graham crackers.Youth Build Students learning proper CPR technique with CERT instructor Madelyn