Recent Updates

YouthBuild Alumnus Lashon Amado Appears on MSNBC

YouthBuild Brockton alumnus, VOICES member, and YouthBuild USA employee Lashon Amado appeared on MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports with his sister, Ryanna Thomas, and the President and CEO of America’s Promise, John Gomperts.

YouthBuild USA and Saint-Gobain Announce Expansion of Partnership

YouthBuild USA founder Dorothy Stoneman is set to speak during a Saint-Gobain press conference in Philadelphia today on the heels of an exciting announcement from the two organizations.

Students Compete in the 17th Annual YouthBuild Carpentry Challlenge

YouthBuild students from the New England area gathered in Methuen, Mass. for the 17th Annual YouthBuild Carpentry Challenge, a competition that put the students’ skills, knowledge, and efficiency to the test. Event organizer April Lyskowsky explained the purpose of the event saying, “The carpentry challenge allows (students) to utilize the skills and the training they’re learning in the YouthBuild programs.”

Rural YouthBuilder Participates in Congressional Briefing

On May 12, 2015, Sharell Harmon, a student at YouthBuild North Central West Virginia and member of the YouthBuild USA Young Leaders Council, participated in a Congressional briefing on “Technology Transitions” and affordable broadband. The briefing was organized by Edyael Casaperalta and sponsored by the Public Knowledge and the National Rural Assembly.

YouthBuild students holding signs at LA march

YouthBuild Supporters across the US Celebrate National YouthBuild Week

From April 22 to April 29, YouthBuild programs and supporters from around the country stepped up to show their support of the YouthBuild movement. From Long Island to Los Angeles, YouthBuild students and staff participated in the week of celebrations with service projects, meetings with elected officials, and special events in their communities.

YouthBuild student at the Conference of Young Leaders

YouthBuild Featured in National Media

In the aftermath of recent high profile conflicts between police and young people, communities have started to look to programs like YouthBuild to address the underlying problems keeping opportunity youth disconnected from the rest of society.

YouthBuild staff and elementary school students

YouthBuild USA and City of Somerville Celebrate Mayors Day of Service

On Tuesday, April 7, 2015, more than 2,630 mayors across the country pledged their support for national service as part of the 3rd annual Mayors Day of Recognition of National Service. This annual service day unites locally elected officials with community residents and corps members to harness the power of national service and highlight the positive impacts of civic engagement.

Department of Labor announces YouthBuild grants

"Our economy will only soar when everyone shares its benefits. Everyone, especially our young people, must have the opportunity to get an education and find a good job. When it comes to creating these opportunities for young people at-risk, Youthbuild is one of our most successful programs. Today's announcement strengthens our commitment to helping many young people see the possibilities ahead of them."
U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez

The National Council of Young Leaders – Opportunity Youth United Convenes in Seattle

Last week, the members of the National Council of Young Leaders traveled from across the US to meet in Seattle. They began their stay with a day of meetings at Starbucks headquarters where they strategized around how to engage a broad constituency of young people across the country to lift the voice of Opportunity Youth to a broader audience and engage deeply in civic affairs.