Age range

Website: www.youthbuild.org

Mission/Goals: Youth build Columbus is a collaborative education and job-training program for Columbus' dropout youth and young adult populations. Youth build Columbus offers a comprehensive program combining GED preparation, life and leadership skills training, construction skills instruction and high-quality job placement. Participants gain employable skills by building new houses, sold below market-value to low-income families.

Source(s): www.guidestar.org;

www.wendyschiliopen.com/397.cfm

Type of Evaluation: Outcomes Monitoring. The evaluation reported here is a national evaluation, and Columbus is among the included sites.

Objective: To improve the services offered by YouthBuild.

Impact/Outcomes: Key findings from the interviews revealed that YouthBuild engages an extremely disadvantaged group; that graduates are highly positive about their program experiences; YouthBuild sets high expectations; YouthBuild creates a family-like environment; YouthBuild has caring, skilled, and respectful staff; participants value "tangible results" of construction work; and graduates need more programming after completion of primary YouthBuild programs. Key findings from the surveys reveal that: 75% of graduates are currently in postsecondary education or in jobs averaging $10/hr; 70% are registered to vote and nearly half have voted; 60% said YouthBuild was an "excellent" program; 91% gave positive evaluations of the program; 73% had received some help from the program since graduating; 60% said they would like additional post-program support in jobs/careers and education/training; 92% reported positively on measures of self-perception; 76% are not receiving government support (food stamps, welfare or unemployment benefits); 85% are involved in at least one community activity; and 80% report no negative behaviors (selling marijuana or hard drugs, convicted of felony or spent time in prison).