YouthBuild GED Prep and Vocational Training Program Supplemental Services

The OJJDP FY 09 Earmarks Programs further the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Explanatory Statement Regarding H.R. 1105 (Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009), 155 Cong. Rec. H1653 (daily ed. Feb. 23, 2009) (statement by Rep. Obey, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the House).

Currently, the Flushing YMCA YouthBuild program engages unemployed young men and women ages 17-24, who have not completed high school and who come from low income families, and enables them to serve their communities by building affordable housing and rehabilitating single room occupancies while assisting them in transforming their own lives and roles in society through education and leadership opportunities Currently, the YouthBuild program is in its 14th cycle and during our current program year nine participants have received their High School GED Diploma. The goals of this project are as follows: (1) to prevent delinquency risk behaviors; (2) to acquire GED; (3) to enroll and attend college; (4) to enroll in post secondary vocational training program; (5) to acquire marketable computer skills; (6) to acquire debating/life skills (cognitive social-emotional development); (7) to acquire gainful employment; and (8) to receive clinical counseling services as-needed. To support the current YMCA plans to hire a technology specialist that will utilize our computer lab and teach basic computer skills to assist program participants in resume writing, job search applications, identifying career interests, and locate college scholarships, vocational training opportunities and acquire basic typing skills. Participants will become familiar with Internet search engines, Microsoft Word and Excel. YMCA also plans to hire a debate/life skills coach that will teach students the art of persuasive debating, constructive argument, developing a positive self-image, dressing for success and developing effective social skills. YMCA will enter our students in debate competitions and expose them to college level debating teams and compete in the NYC High School New York Urban Debate League (NYDL). YMCA will provide a college tour to expose YouthBuild students to college life and will visit local colleges and universities where YouthBuild students will meet with college students and become immersed into college life. To assist YouthBuild participants with their social and emotional needs, YMCA plans to hire a part-time LMSW that will conduct clinical assessments and counseling with students that demonstrate an acute need for clinical assistance. NCA/NCF