Chance for youth to build future, homes

Youth will learn to build houses while earning their GEDs in a new program called YouthBuild. The first group of teens and young adults will help owner/builders at the Crest at Copper Station, a Housing Hope project in Stanwood. Youth in Snohomish County have a chance to learn skills and finish schooling by building homes in Stanwood.

YouthBuild Snohomish County is a new 10-month construction training program that includes GED completion, leadership training and job hunt assistance when the program ends.

The program is hosted by the Workforce Development Council, Housing Hope, Center for Career Alternatives and community college partners. The agencies received a twoyear grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Currently, they are only recruiting for the first year, said Amy Persell, director of service delivery for the Workforce Development Council Snohomish County. She hopes to have 16 to 20 youth participate.

The program accepts youth ages 18 to 24 who are unemployed, low-income and lack a GED.

The YouthBuild Program has both vocational and educational pieces, Persell said.

While earning their GEDs, participants will learn the construction trade by helping build homes at Housing Hope's the Crest self-help housing project in the Copper Station subdivision of Stanwood.

The youth will help the families in the self-help program finish their homes sooner, said Ed Petersen, Housing Hope executive director. With self-help housing, families receive low-interest loans and help build their own homes and those of their neighbors.

Building the homes can take a family group a while, he said.

The first group of 10 families is expected to finish in September or October, Petersen said. The second group of six will likely be done in December.

A third group of six homeowner builders is in the process of obtaining their loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Half the youth in the program will work on-site during the morning, and the other half in the afternoon, Peterson said. The rest of the day, they will be in classes.

YouthBuild is a good program for youth who dropped out of high school and feel adrift, Persell said. That population is one that doesn't necessarily have many resources.

Those without a GED or high school diploma have difficulty finding employment, she said.

"If you are ready to make a change, we are ready to help you do it," she said.

Youth will also gain leadership skills and increase their self-esteem, Persell said. They get the chance to determine what the program looks like, and how their days are organized.

In addition, they will be required to perform service projects in the community, she said.

People who have helped build part of the community have a sense of ownership and participation in the community, she said.

The participants are supported by staff members, and are provided with case management, Persell said.T

he program does offer nominal pay to the participants, about $240 every two weeks before taxes, Persell said. It will help with program expenses, such as food and transportation. Tools and rain gear will be provided to them.

Youth who are interested in participating need to attend an information session. The Stanwood session is 6:30 p.m., Wed., Sept. 9, at the Davis Place Teen Center at the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center in Stanwood.

Although YouthBuild is a new program for Snohomish County, it's something that has proved successful across the nation, Petersen said.

"It's really not just about building homes," Persell said. "It's about building lives."

Youth interested in the program can call 425-921- 3487 with questions. The teen center is located at 9612 271st St. NW, in Stanwood. To apply for selfhelp housing, or for more information, contact Housing Hope at 425-347-6556 or visit www.housinghope. org.

Staff Reporter Kristi Pihl: 629-8066 ext. 125 or kpihl@scnews.com.