About Us
The YouthBuild California Coalition is a voluntary association of organizations and young adults whose primary objectives and purposes are to encourage and advocate for the development and funding of YouthBuild programs in the State of California. It may also advocate for other youth and community development and employment training programs and public policies that it determines are beneficial to low-income youth and communities in the state of California.
There are currently 30 YouthBuild programs that are operating in California. All of the YouthBuild programs listed are individual programs operated by private nonprofit or public-municipal organizations. Each member of the California YouthBuild Coalition operates their YouthBuild program according to the YouthBuild Model. Please contact any of the YouthBuild programs for more information about their individual programs.
About YouthBuild Programs:
In YouthBuild programs, unemployed and undereducated young people, ages 16-24, work toward their GED or high school diploma
while learning construction skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. Strong emphasis is placed
on leadership development and community service.
Participants spend 9 to 12 months in the program, dividing their time between the construction site and the YouthBuild
alternative school. Students receive a stipend for their full-time participation. In addition, individual counseling, peer
support groups, driver's license training, recreation, cultural activities, and additional opportunities for community service
are integrated into their experience. Major emphasis is placed on providing opportunities for young people to develop their
leadership abilities by making decisions affecting the program and its policies, and through involvement in community life.
The YouthBuild program is uniquely comprehensive:
*Housing Construction Activities
Students construct or rehabilitate homes for homeless and low-income people in their communities.
*Education
Students prepare for high school diplomas, GEDs, vocational school, or college. The curriculum integrates academics with life skills.
*Job training
Students gain a sound work ethic and skills as well as decision-making and time-management skills. They develop career plans and prepare for job interviews.
*Leadership development
Participants learn to advocate for issues that concern them and their communities, as well as to take
responsibility for themselves and their families.
*Counseling
Regular counseling and referrals are offered to address issues such as child care, transportation, or substance
abuse.
*Graduate support
Graduates have access to resources to assist them as they advance their careers, go to college, build
assets, and become role models.
*Mentorship
The purpose to incorporate mentoring into a YouthBuild program is to provide additional support to YouthBuild graduates after graduation. Ideally, by the time of graduation a YouthBuild student should have identified mentor or coach from his or her community network who is committed to a mentoring relationship and has learned how to create a positive social network that will encourage, support, and provide resources to helping him or her achieve their goals.
Though most YouthBuild programs are overseen by larger, independent community-based organizations, programs are responsible
for securing funding, recruiting students, hiring staff and refining the program curriculum.
For more information about the Coalition, please contact:
Andrew Delgado
Coalition President
310.225.3060
email at [email protected].
There are currently 30 YouthBuild programs that are operating in California. All of the YouthBuild programs listed are individual programs operated by private nonprofit or public-municipal organizations. Each member of the California YouthBuild Coalition operates their YouthBuild program according to the YouthBuild Model. Please contact any of the YouthBuild programs for more information about their individual programs.
About YouthBuild Programs:
In YouthBuild programs, unemployed and undereducated young people, ages 16-24, work toward their GED or high school diploma
while learning construction skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. Strong emphasis is placed
on leadership development and community service.
Participants spend 9 to 12 months in the program, dividing their time between the construction site and the YouthBuild
alternative school. Students receive a stipend for their full-time participation. In addition, individual counseling, peer
support groups, driver's license training, recreation, cultural activities, and additional opportunities for community service
are integrated into their experience. Major emphasis is placed on providing opportunities for young people to develop their
leadership abilities by making decisions affecting the program and its policies, and through involvement in community life.
The YouthBuild program is uniquely comprehensive:
*Housing Construction Activities
Students construct or rehabilitate homes for homeless and low-income people in their communities.
*Education
Students prepare for high school diplomas, GEDs, vocational school, or college. The curriculum integrates academics with life skills.
*Job training
Students gain a sound work ethic and skills as well as decision-making and time-management skills. They develop career plans and prepare for job interviews.
*Leadership development
Participants learn to advocate for issues that concern them and their communities, as well as to take
responsibility for themselves and their families.
*Counseling
Regular counseling and referrals are offered to address issues such as child care, transportation, or substance
abuse.
*Graduate support
Graduates have access to resources to assist them as they advance their careers, go to college, build
assets, and become role models.
*Mentorship
The purpose to incorporate mentoring into a YouthBuild program is to provide additional support to YouthBuild graduates after graduation. Ideally, by the time of graduation a YouthBuild student should have identified mentor or coach from his or her community network who is committed to a mentoring relationship and has learned how to create a positive social network that will encourage, support, and provide resources to helping him or her achieve their goals.
Though most YouthBuild programs are overseen by larger, independent community-based organizations, programs are responsible
for securing funding, recruiting students, hiring staff and refining the program curriculum.
For more information about the Coalition, please contact:
Andrew Delgado
Coalition President
310.225.3060
email at [email protected].