Kerry and minorities: Making a difference with Project Youthbuild

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The Youthbuild Act (H.R. 501) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Major Owens of Brooklyn in 1990. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts introduced it in the Senate as S. 1100 in 1991. These two elected officials have effectively championed YouthBuild ever since.

After two years of energetic advocacy by the YouthBuild Coalition, in concert with Sen. Kerry and Rep. Owens, the bill was passed into law as "Subtitle D--Hope for Youth: Youthbuild" in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. Continued advocacy, coupled with the inspiring success of local YouthBuild programs, resulted in annual appropriations administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through a competitive process.

Unemployed young people, ages 16 to 24, build affordable housing for homeless and low-income families in their own communities. They split their time between the construction site and the classroom, where they earn their GED or high school diploma, prepare for jobs or college, and learn to be community leaders.

Impact: Since 1994, over 40,000 YouthBuild students have produced over 12,000 units of low-income housing.

Size: In 2003 there were more than 200 YouthBuild programs in 44 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. They engaged approximately 7,000 young adults. Roughly the same number are operating in 2004.

Participants: Between 1999 and 2003, YouthBuild students were 72% young men and 28% women. 31% were parents. They were 48% African-American, 23% Latino, 21% white, 3% Native American, 2% Asian, and 2% other.

Success Rate: An average of 87% of YouthBuild students during the past five years entered the program without their high school diplomas, 30% had been adjudicated, and 27% received public assistance prior to joining YouthBuild. In spite of these overwhelming odds, 59% completed the program and 81% of graduates went on to college or jobs averaging $7.97/hour.

Organization: Local YouthBuild programs are small, supportive mini-communities that are usually operated by independent, community-based and faith-based organizations. YouthBuild USA is the non-profit agency that serves as national intermediary and support center for YouthBuild programs nationwide. The YouthBuild Coalition is a network of over 1000 organizations in 49 states that advocate for YouthBuild programs.

http://www.youthbuild.org/about.html



Senator Kerry Secures $60 Million for YouthBuild Program
Highest Appropriation Ever for YouthBuild National Community Service Project

Friday, October 20, 2000

Washington, D.C.-Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) announced that $60 million was designated to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's YouthBuild program in the FY 2001 VA-HUD, and Independent Agency appropriations bill. This is an increase of $17.5 million dollars over the FY 2000 appropriation. Nationwide, YouthBuild programs provide a unique opportunity for low-income youth to continue their education while building affordable housing in their communities.

The YouthBuild program has enjoyed enormous success. Eighty-five percent of young people who complete the program go on to secure jobs or continue their education. The program has grown tremendously in the last few years. In 1993, there were 15 YouthBuild sites serving 600 young people. Today, 145 YouthBuild sites give a second chance to more than 5,500 low-income youth, most of whom left high school without a diploma. With this astounding success rate, the demand for YouthBuild programs has grown exponentially. Programs have been forced to turn away numerous applicants because they didn't have the resources to serve them.

"Youthbuild represents a win-win for our communities – not only is it a great opportunity for education and job training for out-of-school youths, but it also focuses much needed energy and resources on building affordable housing – something that effects us in every part of the country," said Senator Kerry. "There are enough abandoned buildings to put the young people of this country to work and gain the kind of citizenship that is part of YouthBuild. That should be the goal of the United States Congress. This new funding will not only improve the existing program, but make this opportunity available to so many new people and new communities. "

"YouthBuild programs across the country are rejoicing that Congress finally gave a significant boost to YouthBuild's annual funding in response to the President's request and Senator John Kerry's persistent advocacy," said Dorothy Stoneman, Executive Director of YouthBuild USA. "Senator Kerry has been the champion of YouthBuild since he sponsored the original legislation in 1991, and he has never let up. This year he got 59 of his colleagues to call for an increase. We have learned that we can always count on him to take the next step for the young people in YouthBuild."


Congress Helps Under-served Youth Rebuild Communities By Increasing Support for YouthBuild

Thursday, October 19, 2000, Congress finalized funding for HUD's YouthBuild program at $60 million for FY2001. This is increased from $42.5 million in FY2000. This increase represents extraordinary bi-partisan support for a program that serves some of America's most overlooked young people.

YouthBuild champion Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) has said of YouthBuild, "There are enough abandoned buildings ... to put the young people of this country to work and gain the kind of citizenship that is part of YouthBuild. That should be the goal of the United States Congress."

Alongside the YouthBuild Coalition, Senator Kerry spearheaded a campaign in Congress for increased YouthBuild funding, securing the support of 59 other Senators. The increase was also supported by retired Army General Colin Powell; the American Utilities Workers Union; and YouthBuild's leading corporate partner, The Home Depot.

http://www.youthbuild.org/2000releases.html


Post from Senator John Kerry, December 31, 2003
Clearly jobs are of great importance to young people. Do you think that this concern is being addressed by presidential candidates, the current administration, and other politicians? Do you think that 18-25 year olds are being left out in policy decisions concerning the economy?

I certainly believe we must address the economic concerns of young Americans. Young people are entering one of the worst job markets in memory. A recent study showed that a shocking 74 percent of college undergraduates believe it will be difficult to find permanent jobs after they graduate. This past summer teenagers looking for work were hit with an 18 percent unemployment rate.

The Bush Administration has not addressed this issue. In fact, they have made it difficult for young people to look for opportunity and hope in the future.

I will get our economy back on track and ensure every American has the opportunity to succeed. I am going to fight to create jobs by turning around the technology sector, investing in renewable energy to create jobs and make us independent of foreign oil, reviving the manufacturing sector and working to stop the trend of losing American jobs overseas and keeping America the most cutting edge nations when it comes to the economy.

I am going to improve the confidence in the American economy and keep jobs here at home by closing corporate loopholes, cracking down on nations that are not playing by the rules and undermining American exports. I will roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans - so we can invest in jobs, education and health care and in our future.

I believe that we should focus intensively on those young people in our communities who need extra help going to college, developing skills or finding a job. For the past 11 years I have worked closely with the YouthBuild program, which helps young people earn their high school degree and go onto college, learn a valuable trade, and give back to their communities.

I will also ensure that any young person who wants to go to college can afford it. I have proposed a new ãCollege Opportunity Tax Creditä that will provide young people with a tax credit on the first $4,000 paid in tuition - the typical tuition and fees for public college tuition. We know that many of the good jobs of the future will require a college degree and I want to make sure every American can afford college. In a Kerry Administration, if you invest in yourself, your country will invest in you.

Unfortunately this Administration has completely walked away from young people, just at the time they need the most support to assure they can succeed in today's economy. In a Kerry Administration, we'll do a 180. We won't be a strong nation until EVERY young American coming out of school has the opportunity to succeed.

http://www.youth04.org/discussions/practical-11-03-kerry.shtml