COLUMBIA, Mo. – After dropping out of high school, Braeden McCollum wasn’t quite sure what was next for his future, but never did he imagine it would be representing the Midwest as a delegate to “Cultivating Possibilities: White House Youth Policy Summit 2024″ presented in partnership with YouthBuild USA, Funders for Adolescent Science Translation and the National Youth Employment Coalition.
Yet, on Monday, February 12, he left for Washington, D.C. to do just that.
The first day of his trip was focused on pre-event training, networking and preparation for Day 2 of the conference that put McCollum and youth from across the country “in direct dialogue with Federal policymakers – representatives from the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Justice, Homeland Security, and Education as well as members of the Biden Administration’s White House team” according to literature from the organizers of the event.
“I cannot believe that I get to do this, but I am so excited to be here.” McCollum said.
Since enrolling in Job Point’s YouthBuild program, he has passed his High School Equivalency Test and earned his diploma through the Missouri Options program, secured a certificate in Carpentry from Job Point’s Skills Training program and is currently on his third trip to Washington D.C. for leadership and advocacy training through YouthBuild USA.
McCollum was chosen from over 3,000 youth applicants from across the country for this unique opportunity to share his voice and experiences at the federal level with policymakers.
“We are so proud of him,” Jerrell Morton, Director of Job Point’s YouthBuild program, said. “With the unique energy that he brings into every room he enters, it is no surprise to us that he earned this opportunity to represent the Midwest in DC.”
Brae, pictured on the left, was awarded the Thomas Lutz Student of the Year Award at the December 2023 graduation.
McCollum graduated from Job Point’s YouthBuild program and was awarded the Thomas Lutz Student of the Year award in 2023. He shares more about his journey from drop out to graduate and advocate in Job Point’s brand new podcast, “What’s the Point?,” to launch in February 2024.
About YouthBuild
With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood, and leadership. At more than 280 YouthBuild programs across the United States and around the world, students reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become leaders in their communities. To date, YouthBuild has partnered with more than 200,000 young people to dedicate over 51 million hours of service benefitting urban, rural, and tribal communities. YouthBuild strives to create a world where all young people are seen for their potential, and power to transform themselves and their communities. YouthBuild USA — the support center for the YouthBuild movement — strengthens YouthBuild programs through technical assistance, leadership development, innovative program enhancements, and advocacy. YouthBuild programs located outside of the United States are supported by YouthBuild USA’s international division, YouthBuild International.
For more information about the YouthBuild movement, YouthBuild USA, and YouthBuild International, visit YouthBuild.org.
About Job Point
Job Point is Missouri’s premier employment center and Community Development Corporation. Since 1965, we have been linking people and jobs by providing career planning and job placement assistance. We specialize in preparing individuals to enter the workforce, while meeting a critical need of the business community. The organization is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, with services extending to Moberly, Boonville and the surrounding communities. Since 2003, Job Point’s YouthBuild program has helped over 1,100 youth and young adults reclaim their education and build the skills they need for life-long learning, leadership and personal and professional success.
Learn more about Job Point by visiting www.jobpoint.org
