Dropouts rebuild lives, while rebuilding homes

SHAMOKIN - Rebuilding lives - and communities.

That's the theme of the YouthBuild Program, which helps young people rebuild their lives while developing the skills to rehabilitate or build affordable housing in their communities.

On Friday morning, the proud work of YouthBuild students was on display at rehabilitated houses at 118 S. First St., Coal Township, and 48-50 Adams St., Shamokin, where open houses were attended by officials from Northum-berland County Housing Authority, Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC), the City of Shamokin, Coal Township and Northumber-land County.

The students, who are high-school dropouts, were praised by officials for their work on the properties, which were purchased by the county during a judicial sale and will be sold through the county housing authority's first-time homebuyers program.

The property on South First Street is a single home, while the structure on Adams Street was converted from a half-double to a single dwelling. Both properties have been eyesores for years.

Under the direction and supervision of building instructor Chip Cowher, the 15 students, most of whom reside in the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area, completed carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, weatherization and landscaping work during the program, which also includes classroom instruction and community service. Rehabilitation

work started in November.

'Wise' use of tax dollars

Edward Christiano, executive director of the Northumberland County Housing Authority, welcomed everyone and commended the students, teachers, program officials and the "local match" financial commitment from the city, township and county to help CPWDC obtain the YouthBuild grant. The housing partnered with CPWDC to launch the program.

Max Elsman, program manager for workforce training and employment with the Home Builders Institute in Washington, D.C., who has 30 years of experience in workforce development, called the program a "wise investment of taxpayers' dollars."

In addition to commending his students, Cowher praised the housing authority and CPWDC for providing the proper tools and materials to complete the work.

Also offering comments at the open houses was Rachel Smith, assistant director for CPWDC.

She stated, "Our goal is to have trainees graduate from YouthBuild with credentials that will make them more marketable in the construction field, with a clear direction for their life and with electrical, finishing and other construction skills that will have value regardless of their career path."

Smith said the program also helps participants develop a sense of ownership in their lives and within their community.

'Cool thing to do'

Robert Beury, 22, of Atlas, one of the students who worked on the homes, said he was grateful for the opportunity to enroll in the YouthBuild program and plans to become an electrician. He also praised Cowher and his classroom instructor, Dan Kelly, for their leadership and experience.

"They are great to work with and really made us feel special," he said.

Another student, Tiffany Dehoutaint, 19, of Ranshaw, added, "I entered this program because I want to try something new and make a better life for myself. I've had a rough past, and YouthBuild has not only taught me construction skills, but has helped me meet new friends. It's just a cool thing to do."

Dehoutaint hopes to go to school to become a veterinarian assistant.

National program

The national YouthBuild program was initiated in Harlem, N.Y., in 1970, and has served more than 92,000 young people and produced more than 19,000 affordable housing units in 45 states. In fiscal year 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor provided $120 million in funding for programs operating multiple years.

The Central Pennsylvania YouthBuild program, which is one of 273 in the country, is based at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center in Shamokin.

In a press release issued to The News-Item, Steve Roush, chairman of the Northumberland County Housing Authority, stated, "For each new building project we initiate, we buy all of the materials locally in an effort to support the local economy. We're improving the housing stock, while at the same time serving as a training ground for at-risk youths."

Program participants include people between 18 and 24 years old who have dropped out of school and lack the necessary education and skills to participate in the labor market. To be one of the 20 to 22 individuals selected for YouthBuild, trainees must pass an interview process as well as a two-week Building Adult Skills for Youth in Construction orientation program.

30 hours per week

Once selected, trainees spend 30 hours per week for six months working toward the program's graduation requirements. Students divide their time in the classroom participating in GED preparation and other academic skills, and training and learning construction skills while rehabilitation or building homes in Shamokin and Coal Township.

Trainees also complete group and individual service-learning projects to find additional ways to serve their communities, and have the opportunity to earn their career readiness certificate powered by Workkeys.

The following is a list of community service projects that the group has completed during the past year:

- Delivered "Toys for Tots" packages in the Shamokin area.

- Assisted the Northumberland County Adult Day Care program and interacted with clients.

- Worked with Habitat for Wildlife to clean up vacant land and helped further develop two sites by laying railroad tie barriers, installing gate posts, clearing rocks for cultivation and building a rain-catching pond for wildlife.

- Poured concrete for a pavilion at the Exchange community park.

- Cleaned trash and debris from Shamokin Creek for the benefit rubber duck race.

- Worked with Habitat for Humanity in constructing a new home for a family in New Columbia.

- Assisted in the maintenance of Shamokin Cemetery.

Three Central Pennsylvania YouthBuild programs will be offered during the grant period. Young adults interested in January classes should contact YouthBuild at 644-6575 for more information.