HoustonWorks USA YouthBuild Program provides Houston’s youth a program that will assist them with academic instruction, vocational skills, occupational skills, and community service and leadership development. Program participants must make a one year commitment, be between 18 – 24 years old, complete 510 hours of both construction and education, be drug free and be able to complete an intense four week orientation.  Specific information on the program segments are below.

Academic Instruction:

• Academic instruction will begin with Pre-GED/GED classes designed for persons who cannot read, write and use mathematics independently. Pre-GED and GED content will be provided through published materials by Steck Vaughn and supplemented with instructional strategies on effective communication, writing, decision-making, problem solving, goal setting, teamwork, leadership development and cooperative learning.

Vocational Skills:

• While attending Pre-GED/GED classes, the trainees will also begin receiving vocational instruction through the Core Curriculum: Introductory Craft Skills, a Contren Learning Series. The Core Curriculum is recognized and endorsed by both local and national construction companies as an important instrument in developing occupational competencies for the construction industry.

Occupational Skills:

• Upon completion of the Core Curriculum, the trainees will transition into the occupational skills training portion of the YouthBuild project. HoustonWorks USA is collaborating with Houston Habitat for Humanity to provide occupational skills training. For a period of no less than six month and no longer than eight months, the trainees will work with Houston Habitat for Humanity staff to construct new homes for low-income residents. Trainees will begin to utilize the skills developed in the Core Curriculum and learn the practical application of these skills on a “real world” construction site.

Community Service:

• HoustonWorks USA has entered into a partnership with the City of Houston to perform minor repairs for aged persons. These repairs may include cleaning up debris from the property and making minor home repairs. These activities will be scheduled on Friday and Saturday and will give the trainees not only another opportunity to practice their new found construction skills but also provide them with an opportunity to give back to their community.

Leadership Development:

• Leadership development will begin at the outreach and recruitment process, as staff look for trainees who are serious about changing their path in life. These leadership opportunities will include participation on a Policy Committee that is responsible for making decisions about the operation of the YouthBuild Project. Trainees selected by their peers will have an active role in the decision-making process. Participation on the Policy Committee will not only give a voice to the trainees, as means of developing unity, and reinforce the idea that they are actively engaged in a transformative process that they have some control over, but it will give them the opportunity to confront various viewpoints when making decisions and arrive at a balanced or consensus decision.

For more information on the YouthBuild Houston program, please e-mail info@houstonworks.org.

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