Every year, YouthBuild Global gives each of the affiliated YouthBuild programs the opportunity to celebrate and recognize their exceptional members. Members are honored for their serivce and impact in the community and for their achievements while in the program and beyond with a Spirit of Service Award. This year, we had the pleasure of recognizing Khija Roberts, Student of the Year for this recognition.
In October, Khija was one of over 50 opportunity youth from across the country to attend the 35th Annual YouthBuild USA AmeriCorps Conference of Young Leaders (CoYL) in Washington, D.C. This conference is designed to build connections and offer leadership development opportunities for current students and YouthBuild Alumni. We are proud to watch Khija continue to build her skills and work toward her goals after graduating from Job Point’s YouthBuild program earlier this year.
Khija enrolled in Job Point’s YouthBuild with a vision for service to her community. During her first month in the program, Khija and the rest of her cohort attended a private Q&A with city officials. Many of her classmates sat quietly as each official introduced themselves and their role.
But not Khija!
She was taking notes on a small notepad in her lap. She listened carefully as each person spoke, waiting for the moment they’d ask, “Does anyone have any questions?”
Silence echoed through the City Council chambers as Khija slowly raised her hand.
“Yes, I have a question,” she said.
With each question and follow up question she asked, it became apparent that Khija was not there for talking points, she wanted answers. Every deflection was challenged and every vague response was met with a request for clarification.
As much as city officials seemed to be sweating this pointed interrogation, what they did next changed everything…
At the end of the meeting, the City Manager approached Khija and encouraged her to apply for a one-year internship with City Hall.
Not only did she apply, she was hired.
In the first month of her time in Job Point’s YouthBuild, she had already begun her transformation – from unsure of what she wanted to do in her future, to an intern with City Hall.
Khija is a serious and conscientious young woman with a passion for serving her community. When she first began her journey with Job Point’s YouthBuild, her vision involved actively doing volunteer work, like helping build affordable housing and working in a local soup kitchen.
She went on to earn an internship with City Hall and today she is working there full time, having successfully completed her internship.
Please join us in congratulating Khija on her accomplishments and determination! We know she has a bright future ahead!
