A special graduation ceremony will take place for the first class of Grand Rapids YouthBuild at 1401 Madison SE, Grand Rapids on Friday June 15 at 1 p.m. Media are invited to attend.
“These students have worked hard to improve themselves and are well on their way to life transformation” says Director of Grand Rapids YouthBuild, Amber Fox. Students spent the last nine months working on their GED, learning construction skills through the building a Habitat for Humanity home, developing work ethic, and learning what it takes to be employable. “Each of these students has changed and grown in many ways and now it’s time to honor them and push them even further.” Pastor Troy Evans from the Edge Church will be the keynote speaker.
Grand Rapids YouthBuild is a partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and Bethany Christian Services, funded by the US Department of Labor. Grand Rapids YouthBuild is a 40-week program for low-income young adults ages 18-24 that are exiting the Foster Care and Juvenile Justice systems, to help them obtain a GED while learning construction job skills by building affordable housing for low-income families in Kent County. A strong emphasis is placed on leadership qualities, life skills and community service. Upon completion of the program, YouthBuild offers its participants and graduates case management services to assist with employment and post-secondary education placement. Recruitment efforts for the 2012-2013 program year are underway.
Find out more at www.YouthBuildGR.org