The YouthBuild Program for Choctaw County provides educational instruction, occupational skills training, classroom and hands on construction training for at-risk youth ages 16-24 who have previously dropped out of high school, are adjudicated, are aging out of foster care, possess a disability, are homeless, or qualify as at risk participants. YouthBuild simultaneously addresses issues facing low-income communities including housing, education, employment and leadership development.
The YouthBuild program combines academics with career training, leadership development, and community service at no cost to our students. Participants learn marketable job skills, leadership skills and will serve their communities by assisting in the construction of affordable housing through the renovation of a home dedicated to low-income housing.
During the 16-week program, participants will spend 50 percent of their time engaged in education instruction, 40 percent of their time applying construction skills learned to aid low-income families with building a home, and the remaining 10 percent participating in meaningful community service projects. Students will alternate days in Penn Foster High School Classroom instruction and construction training; leadership building activities; community service projects and other aspects of the YouthBuild program. YouthBuild participants will receive monetary incentives based on performance while in the program.
YouthBuild Program participants will receive approximately a combined 600 hours of education instruction, occupational skills training, and leadership development activities with an additional twelve months of follow-up services.
Jami Meredith – Program Director Becky Powers– Case Manager Jerry Brandon – Construction Instructor Alisha Anderson– Job Developer Alyssa Gilmore – Academic Instructor
100% funded by the Department of Labor for $1,219,000
Upon completing the LIFT YouthBuild program, Christian signed on with Workforce do to a Work Experience program with YouthBuild to continue as a Shop Foreman. Due to his...
The academic component assists youth to obtain a High School Diploma through Penn Foster Online High School. The YouthBuild Academic Instructor is available to aid students as they complete the self-paced curriculum. There is no standardized or annual testing. All academics are lesson-based, with a proven success rate of 98% graduation rate for any learning level enrolled.
Students will split their time between the vocational training and the classroom, where they accomplish their high school education, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for post-secondary opportunities such as employment, college, apprenticeships, or trade school.
Occupational Skills Training
YouthBuild participants will receive Occupational and Construction Skills training including carpentry, bricklaying/stone masonry, electrical, building maintenance, roofing, plumbing, blueprint reading, renovation and repair, and painting in a classroom setting. After training is complete, students will renovate a home in the service area to result in a new home for a low-income family.
LIFT YouthBuild utilizes the Home Builder’s Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Certification curriculum for construction training, leading to an industry-recognized certificate participants earn while in the program. Curriculum focuses on construction basics as well as basic mathematics, safety, professional communication, tools, and career development.
Participants will engage in “job shadowing” with other industry professionals to include bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, framing contractors, painters, cabinetry carpenters, and more. Students also have the opportunity to job shadow with professionals outside of the construction focus, depending on their personal preferences once program modules are completed. Participants also earn their OSHA-10 certification and are afforded the opportunity to get First Aid/CPR certified as well. The occupational skills training component prepares youth to gain placement into career pathways and/or further education or training.
Leadership Development
YouthBuild participants will participate in quality community service learning projects and activities that encourage leadership development. The Academic Instructor and Job Developer will provide curriculum-based leadership development classes to participant including how to budget finances, understanding board governance, understanding roles in the community as responsible and productive citizens, the importance of exercising their right to vote, the importance of civic participation, how to be a positive role model for other youth, life skills training’s, and much more.
Challenges, that may include lack of reliable transportation or childcare, homelessness, substance abuse and/or mental health issues in the personal lives of the participants, often create obstacles to obtaining education and occupational skills. YouthBuild Academic Instructor and Job Developer will provide participants with problem-solving life skills and support services that can help recognize and overcome challenges that may stand in the way of their success.
The ultimate goal for our program participants is a successful transition into the workforce and/or post-secondary education.
Community Service
Giving back to the community is an essential part of the YouthBuild experience.
Time is set aside each week for participants to experience leadership and community service activities through secured partnerships with local and state organizations. Community service projects will focus on community improvements in low-income areas as well as other sites throughout the City. All of the projects will work to benefit low-income residents and communities, as well as improve the quality and energy efficiency of community and other non-profit public facilities, including those used to serve homeless and low-income families.
Who is Eligible?
Are you:
Do you live in Choctaw County or surrounding areas?
Interested in the opportunity to earn a High School Diploma?
If you are interested in applying to participate in the YouthBuild program please click on the red button below to print an application.
LIFT CAA’s YouthBuild program collaborates with Southeastern Oklahoma State University Educational Opportunity Center, Oklahoma State University Extension Office, and Kiamichi Technology Centers’ Hugo Campus to link YouthBuild participants to local colleges and trade schools, as well as provide effective career readiness services. Other partners include First United Bank of Hugo, Southern Workforce Board, Goodland Academy, the City of Hugo, Project Gain, and Youth Services of Hugo.
YouthBuild Partners assist students in a number of ways including: Completing federal financial aid applications; Providing academic and career assessments with the use of tools such as COPS, CAPS, COPES, and TABE; Assisting clients with admission forms, scholarship information, and class schedules; Interview skills training and resume building; Enhancing marketability and employability; Career counseling; Providing graduates with tours of colleges and vocational schools, as well as opportunities for higher education; and providing additional supportive services to help increase the graduate’s probability of success, such as tutoring, test prep, time management, and study skills seminars.
LIFT Community Action Agency is currently accepting applications for participation in the LIFT YouthBuild Program.
If you are interested in applying to participate in the program, applications are available at 2204 East Jackson Street, Hugo, OK 74743 or you may also print and complete the attached application within this link.
Please return the completed application and a copy of the necessary documentation to 2204 North Jackson Street Hugo, OK 74743
OR you can mail the completed application and a copy of the necessary documentation to 209 North 4th Street Hugo, OK 74743
For additional information regarding the LIFT YouthBuild Program, please contact
Program Director-Jami Meredith 2204 East Jackson Street Hugo, OK 74743 (580) 326-9490 jami.meredith@liftca.org
Case Manager-Becky Powers 2204 East Jackson Street Hugo, OK 74743 (580) 326-9490 rebecca.powers@liftca.org
