Renewed and Re-energized YouthBuild is Back!

 Covington, Ky. – Good things happen in a community when young adults are taught construction skills, accountability, responsibility and leadership development all while earning their GED or high school diploma.

The Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission plans to help young adults do just that by bringing back the YouthBuild program. YouthBuild is a dynamic program offered to low-income men and women ages 16-24 that have dropped out of the education system and are looking for a second chance. Many have had encounters with foster care, juvenile justice, welfare, and homelessness. Through the YouthBuild program they learn job skills and serve their communities by building affordable housing and transform their own lives and roles in society. Participants spend 6 to 24 months in the full-time program, dividing their time between the construction site and YouthBuild educational activities.  

The success of the national YouthBuild program is a story in itself. This program began over 30 years ago when teenagers began renovating empty housing in East Harlem that had been taken over by drug dealers. This concept of taking at-risk youth who have a very slim chance at success and teaching them leadership and construction skills has now produced more than 225 YouthBuild programs nationwide making a profound difference for local students and communities.

Accomplishments were significant the last time NKCAC administered the program in 2004-2005. Twice as many young adults participated than were expected. 100% of the trainees completed the program leading to either G.E.D. diplomas or Construction Certification. Literacy of the students increased by 113% and 88% of the students went on to post-secondary education or were gainfully employed.

“It’s a collaborative effort of many Northern Kentucky agencies that will come together to make this program another huge success” said Norm Solomon, J.D., YouthBuild Director for NKCAC. Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, Inc. (H.O.N.K.) which owns the property at 34 Carneal Street in Ludlow where the first house will be built will also provide the materials for construction. The Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky will provide construction training and support; G.E.D. services will be provided by the Boone, Campbell, and Kenton County educational programs with the help of Gateway Community and Technical College; The Urban Learning Center will provide a college level services program for participants who obtain their G.E.D. diplomas while in the program and want to continue their education. Adult treatment programs will be provided by Transitions Inc. 

Anyone who is interested in qualifying for the program or would like more information may call or email Norm Solomon, YouthBuild Director for the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission at 859-581-6607.

Youthbuild Application

Youthbuild Brochure

For more than 40 years, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission has provided help to low income families by offering emergency assistance and support with housing, early childhood education, energy assistance, homeless case management and healthy relationship education. This support helps families gain skills to become self sufficient and economically independent. The Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission operates in eight (8) counties in Kentucky.