PROGRAM PURPOSE
To provide comprehensive year-round program services to economically disadvantaged in-school youth in order to assure they have the necessary skills and personal qualities to become productive adults.
FUNDING SOURCE
Connections Program WIB Region 1
Youth@Work Program WIB Region 2
Youth Empowerment Program WIB Region III
Region 1: Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming Counties.
Region 2: Cabell, Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Putnam and Wayne Counties
Region III: Kanawha County
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Program activities are centered around the key elements required by the Workforce Investment Act: Continuing Educational Activities (tutoring, study skills, basic skills, high school completion or equivalent); Alternative Schooling; Summer Employment; Paid an/or Unpaid Work Experience; Occupational Skill Training; Supportive Services; Adult Mentoring; Leadership Skills; Job Placement; and Computer Literacy.
PROGRAM PURPOSE
To provide comprehensive year-round program services to economically disadvantaged out-of-school youth in order to assure they have the necessary skills and personal qualities to become productive adults.
PROGRAM OPERATION
Connections (Region I): Webster, Pocohantos, Nicholas, Greenbrier, Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe and Wyoming Counties.
Youth@Work (Region 2): Putnam, Lincoln, Boone, Mingo and Logan Counties.
Youth Empowerment (Region 3): Kanawha County.
Youth Ready (Region 4) : Monongalia, Marion, Preston, Taylor, Harrison, Barbour, Doddridge, Lewis, Gilmer, Tucker, Randolph, Upshur and Braxton Counties.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
While there are some slight differences between HRDF’s Out-of-School Youth Programs, all are required to center around 10 key program elements required by the Workforce Investment Act:
Since 1995, HRDE has administered Youthbuild Programs in north-central West Virginia via funding through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Youthbuild Program serves out-of-school, at-risk youth, age 18 to 24, who do not have a high school diploma. Currently, HRDE operates the Mon Youthbuild Program, serving Monongalia, Marion, Taylor, and Preston Counties.
This Youthbuild Program offers a comprehensive curriculum to prepare young adults for GED, leadership skills, vocational training, and on-the-job pre-apprenticeship training in the construction industry. The classroom training segments, consisting of GED and Residential Building Technology, are located in the lower level of Eastview Unity Apartments in Fairmont and at Stanley Technical Institute in Clarksburg. The actual hands-on training is a result of collaborative efforts with local agencies, such as Morgantown Housing Authority, Monongalia Habitat for Humanity, North Central West Virginia Community Action, Harrison County Habitat for Humanity, and Marion County Habitat for Humanity. Other collaborators are Tri-State Leadership Academy and West Virginia University.
HRDE was recently informed, by HUD, that Mon Youthbuild was awarded a $400,000 grant to continue Youthbuild activities. HRDE's grant was one of 102 grant awards out of 400 proposals submitted nationwide to HUD.
Since 1995 when HRDE received two $90,000 Youthbuild Planning Grants, HRDE has applied for and received approximately $2,260,000 in HUD Implementation Grants. Youthbuild Program students, with guidance from Instructors and staff, continue to rehabilitate apartments and construct new housing for low-income persons throughout north-central West Virginia, as well as earning their GED.
If you are 18 – 24, need your GED, and interested in learning construction, check out YOUTHBUILD.
To be eligible an individual must:
- Be between 18 – 24 years of age
- Meet income restrictions
- Be without a high school diploma or GED
- Meet reading and math ABLE score levels
- Be interested in learning construction
- Be serious and committed
- Earn money while renovating homes
- Receive technical education in construction trades
- Work toward obtaining your GED
- Learn leadership skills and become a leader in your community
- Receive assistance in obtaining jobs or in continuing education
Improve yourself and your community, check out YOUTHBUILD today.
PROGRAM PURPOSE
On November 15, 2007, HRDF was awarded a grant to participate in a Social Security Administration (SSA) Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) Project. The program, known as West Virginia Youth Work is accepting referrals, and serving youth 16-24 years old with disabilities in 19 counties throughout West Virginia (see West Virginia Youth Works Map).
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Youth enrolled in the program may access the following intervention/services:
- Person-centered planning to identify employment and educational goals
- Job search prepration and job development
- Work experience opportunities
- Placement in paid competitive employment
- Support services, including job coaching
- Benefits counseling offered through an engagement with the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities
- Family support, including workshops
- Linkages to other community services