community starts with young people
In 2009, North Shore CDC invested in a group of youth leaders who wanted to see change happen in their neighborhood. That year, we started the Students Taking Action in Neighborhood Development (STAND) program where these young people were instrumental in leading revitalization projects and informed the need to further invest in opportunities for workforce development.
Six years later, we expanded that investment to create YouthBuild North Shore
A YouthBuild USA affiliate, it integrates education, leadership development, counseling, vocational training, and other training areas. Graduates of the program earned credentials in both construction and/or nursing, moved onto stable jobs or postsecondary education, built eight affordable apartments, and completed over 60,000 hours of community service.
Many YouthBuild members expressed a need for affordable housing
We discovered that 70% of the youth were dealing with housing instability or homelessness. As a result, we opened a youth housing development wherein residents receive a fully-furnished studio apartment, one-on-one counseling, and a live-in residential manager.
LUIS
“YouthBuild has impacted my life in many ways – I stepped out of my comfort zone and met new people. Here, I’ve discovered the potential I have in myself. Now that I have my High School Equivalency Diploma, I can move on to next steps to make myself and family proud.”
Luis, a Lynn-native who had been struggling in school, joined YouthBuild in 2019. Dedicated from the start, he earned a High School Equivalency Diploma as well as OSHA-10, NCCER, CPR, and First Aid certifications. An outstanding leader, Luis represented our program at YouthBuild USA’s Conference of Young Leaders, held annually in Washington, D.C.
As a guest speaker at the 14th annual “BUILDING BETTER TOGETHER” event, he highlighted the organization’s tremendous impact on young people and local communities and advocated for YouthBuild’s comprehensive model which gives students the confidence and tools they need to become strong, responsible, and ethical young leaders.
While he thrived in our YouthBuild program, Luis struggled with difficult and unstable housing. In June of 2020, he moved into Harbor Crossing, a development for formerly homeless youth and youth aging out of foster care. Since then, Luis has become more self-sufficient and learned the true meaning of independent living.
While working full-time at Dunkin Donuts, he was able to purchase a vehicle, which can often be a barrier to finding and maintaining stable employment. Luis is a humble, dedicated, and kind-hearted individual, who is still actively involved in YouthBuild through our Alumni Council, offering him a chance to mentor other young people in situations similar to his own.
Previous Section
Next Section