This past summer, ReSOURCE YouthBuild students were interviewed for a short video about how the program helps them to graduate with their high school diploma while gaining experience and certifications in construction. Multiple students told their stories about what ReSOURCE YouthBuild has taught them and how it has prepared them for their futures.
Kayden appreciates getting out of a classroom and working on “fun projects and learning new things every day.”
Braelyn says she is “learning construction skills and carpentry techniques and how to use tools. It also teaches you how to be a better person and emotional skills.”
ReSOURCE YouthBuild is recognized as an AmeriCorps National Service Site. All students are co-enrolled as AmeriCorps members and are required to complete 675 hours of direct community service during their enrollment. Tayte speaks to how his service has impacted his thinking about himself and his goals saying, “I started doing service projects around the community. I’m just learning about myself. I’ve been learning a lot about the community.”
Students complete their service hours through affordable housing construction, weatherization, and disaster response services, and through the weekly, student-led, direct service projects for community organizations and individuals in need. ReSOURCE’s YouthBuild Program Manager and Jobsite Supervisor Prem Linskey spoke to the impact this kind of work can have on students—“being able to walk away from a job site at the end of the day, turn around, and be like “Oh, we did that.” This person now has a more livable house to live in—I think that’s really amazing.”
When asked about plans after YouthBuild, students had a variety of answers. Tayte’s goal is to help more people. Hailey plans on going to Vermont Technical College (VTC) and enrolling in their Veterinary Technology program. Braelyn also wants to attend VTC and is interested in the Construction Management program. ReSOURCE is committed to helping students realize their full potential and we’re proud of the lasting impact they are having on our communities.
