We believe that every person has the potential to do great things for themselves, their families and our community at large. Regardless of their circumstances, age, education or background, we see that potential for greatness in every person.
Through the YouthBuild program, we help youth and young adults see that untapped potential, too. We work together with each person to empower them to reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become leaders in their communities, while building houses or helping improve local infrastructure.
Eligibility: Eligibility Requirements
Initial Application: Apply Now
Program Details
The core elements of this program are:
Education
Young adults spend about half of the time working on their educational goals. Whether they’re working toward their high school diploma equivalent or simply working on improving literacy skills, we provide an individualized learning environment that gives them the tools and support they need to succeed. Their success is critical in helping prepare them for a career or post-secondary education.
Construction and other Career Pathways
We are rebuilding our community together. Through on-site construction training, our YouthBuild students are building single-family style homes that are affordable for low-income families in Columbia’s most impoverished neighborhoods. They also work on improving local infrastructure through road and bridge construction.
Support Services
We recognize that there are certain barriers that exist in the lives of our students and we are committed to helping them overcome those barriers and work through them. We provide extra support, mentoring, career counseling and preparation to help where needed. We are committed to helping each person find success in pursuing their career or academic goals, despite the barriers that stand in their way.
Leadership Development
We are not just building houses, we are building confident future community leaders. We help these young adults find stability in their lives and develop a lifelong love for learning. They learn leadership, accountability, collaboration and the value of community service and helping others.
Alumni Success
Although the traditional timeframe for YouthBuild participation is 6-9 months, we continue to work with these young adults even after they graduate and complete the program. Long-term success is the goal. We are there to help with the job search and career placement as well as during times of transition and change. Plus, they join our growing and active group of alumni who are committed to improving themselves and making our community a better place for everyone to call home.
Love
We welcome each person with open arms. We do not see them as broken or bad apples that need to be fixed or tossed out. We are here to cheer them on and encourage them as they work toward their goals and tap into their true potential.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Between the ages of 16 and 24 on the date of enrollment; AND
2. Member of a low-income family, a youth in foster care (including youth aging out of foster care), an offender, a youth who is an individual with a disability, a child of an incarcerated parent, a homeless youth, or a migrant youth; AND
3. School dropout, or an individual who was a school dropout and has subsequently re-enrolled
Up to, but not more than, 25% of the participants in the program may be youth who do not meet criteria 2 or 3 above, but they MUST have low basic skills; or have been referred by a local secondary school
Priority is given to candidates living in Columbia’s inner city between the ages of 16 and 24 without a high school diploma. Through on-site construction training, single family style homes are built for sale to low-income families, and local infrastructure is improved through road and bridge construction and repairs. The traditional time period of participation in YouthBuild is 6 – 9 months, depending on the academic performance of each individual.
Collaborating Partners
Job Point
Carpenters Local 1925 and Local Laborers 955 Unions
Central Missouri Community Action
Central Missouri Workforce Investment Board
City of Columbia
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
Columbia Chamber of Commerce/REDI
Columbia Housing Authority
Columbia Police Department
Columbia Public Schools
Great Circle
Local Colleges and Human Service Providers
Missouri National Guard
Providence Bank
13th Judicial Circuit Court
University of Missouri Extension
Veteran’s Administration Hospital
Job Point is an equal opportunity organization.
Auxiliary aides and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use, by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes, is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
