News:
» Willis McColllam, Director, YouthBuild North Central, Elkins, WV is awarded a Generation Next: 40 under 40 Award for West Virginia's best and brightest professionals under the age of 40
» Rural People, Rural Policy News: Bringing the voice of young people
» YouthBuild USA Rural Initiative Awarded Kellogg Foundation and USDA Grants
» Rural/Tribal Youth Stand Strong for Community Change in Chadron, NE
» Download the latest YBRI Facts (PDF)
The YouthBuild Rural & Tribal Development Initiative was formally launched in 2007 to link the work of two previously separate, but related Initiatives: the Rural Initiative and the Tribal Initiative. The Rural Initiative was established in 1999 to support and strengthen the capacity of rural YouthBuild programs and to assist rural low-income youth in facing their unique challenges. Through the Initiative, YouthBuild USA strengthened the capacity of rural communities to support and train their young people for leadership and a meaningful, productive life within their home communities. The Tribal Initiative had a similar purpose, but an additional challenge: the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996(NAHASDA) prevented tribes and designated tribal organizations from participating in the annual HUD Youthbuild grant competition. Advocacy efforts succeeded in reversing this preventative legislation.
Today, YouthBuild’s Rural & Tribal Development efforts have parallel and reinforcing foci. These are:
- To support the development of active, rural, young leaders;
- To reinforce youth development as an integral part of community sustainability;
- To strengthen the program capacity of existing rural YouthBuild sites; and
- To encourage the development of new programs, particularly on tribal lands or those serving tribal youth; in the Mississippi Delta; Appalachia, and borderland/colonias regions.
At present, there are approximately 60 YouthBuild programs operating throughout rural America.
Comprehensive Strategy
With an eye toward program sustainability, YouthBuild USA’s technical assistance team works to strengthen the capacity of rural programs to assist their youth to transform their lives and rebuild their communities. Program staff and young people have the opportunity to attend Trainings and Events , with a particular focus on personal, professional and program-wide development and growth. Particular projects of the Rural Initiative further address need areas and strategically works to help programs cope with barriers and other challenges specific to rural communities.
YouthBuild Rural Initiative Partners
Contact Us
The Rural Initiative welcomes your support! Please contact us if you are interested in collaborating with us or funding our pursuits. Questions and comments can also be directed to:
Kim Phinney, Director of Rural & Tribal Development
Kphinney@youthbuild.org
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