Youthbuild: Huntington Residents Lend Helping Hand

Residents from Huntington lent a hand on Monday morning, as they helped build a home in Wyandanch.

The young people are members of United Way’s Youthbuild, a community-based alternative education program. The program provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training to individuals 18 to 24 years old who have been in the juvenile justice system, dropped out of high school or are at-risk of failing to reach key education and career milestones.

YouthBuild Long Island helps youths earn their GED while learning green construction career skills by building housing for the homeless. Since 2009, YouthBuild Long Island has had 140 graduates, with one-third moving into construction jobs, one third into other careers and one-third pursuing higher education.

YouthBuild Long Island has initiated partnerships and utilized outside resources for job skills training beyond its established construction program, branching into health training, medical billing and coding, child care, computer, customer service, mechanics helper and dietary aide and food management certification.

Members of Youthbuild are shown here with Councilwoman Tracey Edwards and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

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