Skip to main content

YouthBuild McLean County

An Effective Practice

Description

Affiliated with YouthBuild USA and AmeriCorps, YouthBuild McLean County serves Bloomington and Normal, Illinois and the surrounding rural areas. In YouthBuild programs, unemployed and undereducated young people ages 16 to 24 work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning construction skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. Strong emphasis is placed on leadership development, community service, and the creation of a positive mini-community of adults and youth committed to success.

Goal / Mission

The McLean County program's mission is "to offer young people a once in a lifetime opportunity to build their futures and their communities through education, leadership development, job training, and the rehabilitation and production of affordable housing, while keeping a profound respect for and a commitment to real partnership with youth."

Results / Accomplishments

YouthBuild is part of a larger social movement dedicated to redefining the perception of youth in America. There are 200 operating YouthBuild programs nationwide, 13 in the state of Illinois. They serve 7,000 young people across the nation each year.

Since 1994, participants have built or renovated over 17 affordable residences for people in McLean County.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
YouthBuild USA and AmeriCorps
Primary Contact
Suzanne Fitzgerald
YouthBuild McLean County
1111 West Market St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 827-7507
sfitzgerald@youthbuildmcleancounty.org
http://www.youthbuildmcleancounty.org
Topics
Education / Student Performance K-12
Economy / Employment
Community / Civic Engagement
Organization(s)
YouthBuild USA and AmeriCorps
Source
Pro-Bank
Date of publication
8/5/2005
Location
McLean County, IL
For more details
Target Audience
Children
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance