Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Finding inspiration at every turn...
OUR STORY
Dorothy Stoneman founded YouthBuild in East Harlem, New York. The movement has grown to impact thousands of young people worldwide with education and skills training.
In 1978, Dorothy Stoneman asked the young people she worked with as a teacher and organizer in East Harlem, New York, how they would change their community if they had adult support.
“We’d rebuild the houses. We’d take empty buildings back from the drug dealers and eliminate crime,” they answered.By combining construction, education, leadership training and love.
Stoneman founded YouthBuild and created the core elements of its model as her fledgling organization renovated an abandoned tenement building in East Harlem.
In 1984, Stoneman and a coalition of youth-serving programs in New York City orchestrated YouthBuild’s expansion citywide. In 1988, YouthBuild began to spread nationally, and in 1990, YouthBuild USA was formed as a support center for the movement, with Stoneman as its CEO.
By 2000, the YouthBuild movement began its international expansion, starting in South Africa. In 2007, YouthBuild International was created to respond to the growing need globally.
In 2018, the Central Family Life Center was awarded a grant from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, and YouthBuild IMPACT was formed.
Today, there are nearly 280 YouthBuild programs across the United States and around the world with
223 programs in 47 U.S. States and territories. YouthBuild IMPACT has partnered with over 100 young
people who have dedicated over 2000 service hours, benefiting our Staten Island communities.
YouthBuild champions opportunity for youth, helping them develop the skills and mindsets that lead to employability, community leadership, and positive change.
YouthBuild believes every young person's goals, dreams, and aspirations are authentic, meaningful, and achievable. Young people do not need fixing; they need champions who see them for who they are and who they can become. Every young person possesses the potential to become a community leader and should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
At YouthBuild IMPACT, opportunity youth ages 17-24 earn their high school equivalency diploma, earn vocational training certifications needed to join the workforce, and participate in community service opportunities to prepare for post-secondary success.
No two YouthBuild programs are exactly alike. Programs vary in scope, focus, and duration, according to community needs, funding, and partnerships. Every YouthBuild program, however, is built on the five core elements of our model:
EDUCATION
At YouthBuild IMPACT, young adults spend roughly half of their time advancing their formal education goals. These include: working towards their high school equivalency diploma, numeracy and literacy skill-building, and hands-on learning. In supportive, individualized learning environments, they gain the skills and certifications or credentials to pursue various careers, livelihoods, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
At YouthBuild IMPACT, opportunity youth develop the skillsets and mindsets required to grow into community leaders. They find stability in their lives and gain an appreciation of lifelong learning. They discover confidence—both in themselves and others—and in their ability to succeed. Students are called to play active service and leadership roles in their local communities. And they learn that leadership, accountability, collaboration, diversity, and love can reclaim lives and communities, one person and one project at a time.
ALUM SUCCESS
At YouthBuild IMPACT, we teach young people the tools for success and lifelong learning. They develop
the skill sets and mindsets needed to become employable. These include networking skills,
professionalism, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial habits that foster the adaptable mindset they need to thrive in their careers. When young people join our program, they form bonds beyond graduation. They become part of a movement, a community, and a family. We help place graduates in the careers they seek and help with transition placement at key moments in their lives.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
The heart of the program lies in the vocational training component. Our curriculum covers industries in demand in the construction and health fields. Each program is carefully designed to provide hands-on training, practical experience, and industry certifications, ensuring that our graduates are job-ready and sought after by employers.
SUPPORT SERVICES
We understand that many young people must manage family circumstances and community conditions significantly hindering their success. Some are forced to choose between pursuing their education and working to survive. At YouthBuild IMPACT, participants benefit from services that support them in managing and addressing these barriers, allowing them to pursue their education and livelihood aspirations. They receive a stipend for participating full-time in our nine-month program. We also offer additional guidance and resources to help them better understand themselves, problem solve, and meaningfully contribute to society along the way. Support services include case management, mentoring, career counseling, mental wellness resources, and life skills coaching.
Denise '21
"I feel complete since joining YouthBuild. I’ve been able to step out of my comfort
zone and now have the confidence to reach my goals and full potential!"
Ricardo '18
"YouthBuild was great and felt great to go to school where the staff were so caring.
Today, I have a career as a Community Health Worker because the program believed in me."
Dennis '21
"What better place to be than a program that teaches you construction and other life
skills that are important to have for a successful future. A great opportunity for young people who are
not doing anything at this time and want to do something productive with their life."
Anayla'22
"YouthBuild IMPACT was an amazing experience! I was able to accomplish a lot of things in just a few short months. They helped me achieve my GED, enroll in college, receive
financial help and get a job that will help me develop experience."
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