Living in Milwaukee I've been seeing lots of boarded up homes in need of renovations and youth in need of jobs. So when I heard Dorothy Stoneman's story of founding Youth Build, it resonated. After graduating from Harvard, Dorothy Stoneman lived in Harlem for 20 years amidst abandoned buildings, homeless people and idle youths. She founded YouthBuild to engage youth in a program that transforms their lives while building homes for low-income people. She says this program combines the power of "love and opportunity" to get people to believe in themselves, to complete high school, and to learn the building trades. Since 1994, they have employed 76,000 people to build 17,000 housing units in America's poorest communities.
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Awesome! Thanks for posting, Melissa.
ReplyDeleteCheck out a youth corps called Operation Fresh Start, founded in 1971 and serving Dane County, Wisconsin: http://www.operationfreshstart.org/ Also, Milwaukee Community Service Corps (I can't find their website at the moment).
ReplyDeleteReally inspiring! I love the simple elegance of the response to complex challenges. I vote to authorize $30 billion in taxpayer money for this rather than the build-up in Afghanistan.
ReplyDeletemy name is jeloni corpening im looking up, who's the founder of youth build. im trying to get in. i need to find the founder as home work for youth build.i like youth build.it helps you to become a better person.it shows you how to work together with people.and also you get to meet people,you would pass on the street.and you might become good friends with that person.the point is, it's good for the community...PS..YB
ReplyDeleteJeloni, You can find more info about Youth Build at www.youthbuild.org
ReplyDeleteThis is jeloni again... I remember when I first posted this text. I was trying to get into YoutBuild Newark. Sence then things have been going well.I graduated YouthBuild Newark and enrolled in Essex County College, and I'm feeling like I have a chance to do something great with my life. Before YouthBuild Newark, I was sitting in the house letting life pass me by. But when I entered YouthBuild Newark, I began to change from myself to a better me. Meaning a me that doesn't let life pass by, a me with dreams and a way to achieve them. I sat and watched family members do something with themselves as I wasted away. But never again, I will be graduating from Essex county college in a little over a year, and its all thanks to YouhBuild... YB
ReplyDeleteWow, Jeloni, that is quite a testimonial. Keep combining your head, heart and hustle to graduate!
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