Youthbuild Program
The purpose of this program is to train and employ at-risk youth and young adults in construction or other fields, thereby increasing their job-specific building trades skills, basic skills, employability skills, and leadership skills. Communities benefit from highly visible construction projects undertaken by youth and young adults which expand affordable housing for needy families and individuals.
The Youthbuild Program provides specialized training in construction and the building trades fields, leadership and basic academic skills, and construction-based work experience for youth at risk of not completing their high school education. Target groups include:
- high school dropouts and potential dropouts
- youth at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system
- chemically dependent youth
- youth with disabilities
- homeless youth
- teen parents
- public assistance recipients.
The education component of the program focuses on applied basic skills with a problem-solving emphasis. The work experience component provides youth with an opportunity to develop skills working with tools and performing job functions related to the renovation of residential units. The leadership component provides youth with meaningful opportunities to develop decision making, problem solving, and negotiating skills.
A unique requirement of the program design is that the work projects must result in the expansion or improvement of residential units for homeless persons and low income families or social service, educational, or health facilities that primarily serve these populations.
For a Fact Sheet on the Youthbuild Program, click here.
For a list of local Youthbuild service providers, click here.
For a Map identifying the local Youthbuild service areas, click here.
For the 2008 Youthbuild Annual Report, click here.
Minnesota Best Practices:
- For the 2008 Minnesota Youthbuild Best Practices, click here.
- For Youthbuild “Green” Projects Best Practices, click here.
Forms and Other Documents:
- State Youthbuild Financial Status Report (FSR)
- DEED Cash Request
- Youthbuild Monitoring Guide, revised May 2009
- For additional Administrative Forms, click here.
Resources:
- Construction Careers Web Site provides information on Apprenticeship and a variety of construction jobs.
(http://www.constructioncareers.org)
- Youth At Work Safety Curriculum Web Site (http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/youth/safety)
- Youthbuild USA Web Site (www.youthbuild.org)
For additional information on the Youthbuild Program, contact:
Kay Tracy, Director
Office of Youth Development
Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
First National Bank Building, Suite E200
332 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1351
(651) 259-7555
E-Mail: kay.tracy@state.mn.us
Nancy Waisanen, Program Specialist
Office of Youth Development
Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
First National Bank Building, Suite E200
332 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1351
(651) 259-7556
E-Mail: nancy.waisanen@state.mn.us
NOTE: Many of the documents contained within the Department of Employment and Economic Development website are available in Adobe Acrobat format. You can obtain the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software by clicking on the Adobe Acrobat Reader icon.
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