YouthBuild: Paving a new direction for young adults

YouthBuild: A New Direction’s goal is to provide future generations with needed skills for success. With a dedicated cohort and even some recent graduates, the program is doing just that.

YouthBuild was brought to Barnwell and Bamberg counties through a $1.5 million S.C. Department of Labor grant secured by the South Carolina Regional Housing Authority #3.

It is an organization with international reach focused on serving out of school youth from the ages of 16 to 24 who aspire to better their lives and communities through education, career development, gaining transferable skills, and much more.

“With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skill sets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood, and leadership,” states their website.

Bryanna Dodson, Antonio Johnson, Caleb Bodiford, Javion Dukes, Jasavion Busby, and Adonte Jamison have all taken advantage of this opportunity.

For six months, participants can work toward goals like obtaining a GED, a National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) certification, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and forklift certified through Denmark Technical College, gaining an entrepreneurial mindset, learning practical skills, and eventually building affordable housing. Participants also receive a stipend.

“I came here because I didn’t have anything to do. I was passing through life,” said 18-year-old Antonio Johnson.

“When I first met him, he said it was time to do different,” said YouthBuild success coach Donna Roberts of Johnson.

Johnson explained YouthBuild has helped him make the changes he sought after. He finds he has learned accountability and how to be a team player.

“I feel like I can’t let people down now,” said Johnson. “That is something I didn’t feel before.”

When he first came to the program in February, he already had his GED, but has since become forklift certified, set a date to take the NCCER, took his driver’s license road course, and much more.

Part of YouthBuild’s support services is helping participants reach goals such as obtaining a driver’s license with related fees paid for through the program.

“It has been a worthwhile experience so far,” said Johnson. “It feels nice because they actually listen to my concerns and do not sweep it under the rug.”

Johnson explained the style of learning YouthBuild provides has been more beneficial to him than the traditional school system.

“I think you have expectations for yourself as opposed to when you came in. I think you want to achieve, and you’re going to achieve,” said YouthBuild career navigator Bartel Boone.

Johnson, like the other members of his cohort, feel they have found a family at YouthBuild.

Jasavion Busby knew Boone prior to becoming a member of the YouthBuild family. He credits Boone as a major influence “every step of the way since day one,” said Busby.

Busby finds his leadership qualities have grown since joining and enjoys being able to use his hands and creativity in the construction components of the program.

Jorge Jimenez, construction manager/instructor, spends roughly three hours each day working with students in the shop adjacent to the classroom building.

Participants begin by drawing out their idea, taking measurements, selecting materials, and then constructing their concept.

17-year-old Javion Dukes recently built a doghouse and a bench – two things he had never done before.

“We did measurements one day and finished building it the next day,” said Dukes, who is excited to transfer these skills to other projects.

Students also built end tables, planters, and bird feeders created with glass bottles, all of which are being sold at the Barnwell Farmer’s Market to develop customer service and business strategies. Much of the materials have been donated.

Barnwell Caribbean donated the bottles for the bird feeders and 12,000 pounds of lumber was donated by the Denmark Lumber Company. This large amount of lumber is being housed and dried at Saltcatcher Farms in Bamberg County.

McDonald’s in Barnwell has also provided meal vouchers for participants to treat themselves to the occasional lunch.

YouthBuild always welcomes donations of any materials or food vouchers from local establishments to allow their students to keep creating and learning practical skills while doing so.

Soon, students will be learning plumbing and electrical skills once each station is finished - something they are all working toward.

“I like that everybody here is like a team, we work together,” said participant Caleb Bodiford.

Bodiford joined the program in May and finds he is “learning a lot of stuff that I probably would have never learned if I never came here.”

Not only is Bodiford gaining construction skills, but also life skills.

“I’m learning different skills and new skills. Today we talked about how to make decisions and sometimes I struggle with that,” he said.

One of the highlights for participants was volunteering at The Well Community Collaborative and Pantry in Barnwell.

“I got to show off my hand truck skills,” said Johnson of helping The Well volunteers unload and sort boxes of food.

YouthBuild aims to not only provide participants with the practical tools needed for life and career success, but also a forever family.

“You do better when you know people expect you to do better,” said Roberts. “They know a year from when they’re done, we still have to do follow ups.”

YouthBuild staff will continually check up on their students well after their six-month involvement in the program ends to provide support and access to anything they might need.

“I think we’ve become a closer-knit family and I think we want to stay in contact with each other,” said Boone.

For more information about YouthBuild, visit youthbuild.org/.