Recent Updates

YouthBuild student operating buzz saw

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.”
Casaperalta and Harmon

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

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

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. 

Students in Massachusetts State House

YouthBuild Students Gather for the 20th Annual Massachusetts YouthBuild Day

On Thursday, March 19, 2015, representatives from the 11 YouthBuild programs across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts met at the Massachusetts State House for the 20th Annual Massachusetts YouthBuild Day. The goal of the event was to give staff and participants from Massachusetts YouthBuild programs a chance to request support from their state legislators.

2015 YouthBuild Rural Caucus

In early March, twenty-one young people from rural YouthBuild programs across the country gathered for two days of community building. They flew, many for the first time, from places as widespread as Helena, MT, Burlington, VT, Kincaid, WV and Ogden, UT. Together they identified the unique challenges facing rural youth, as well as the creative solutions that they offer their communities.