YouthBuild KCK
YouthBuild KCK assists out-of-school youth ages 16-24 in obtaining their high-school credential and training them for a job in the construction or healthcare industry. The program is an intensive, full-time program, providing instruction and leadership development five days a week. Trainees spend 40% of their time in GED instruction, 50% of their time in construction or healthcare training (both classroom and in the field) and the remaining 10% of their time in leadership and character development work. The program aims to serve approximately 35 young people each year – small cohorts, but deep engagement. Trainees are also engaged in mentorship with volunteer adults, as well as service learning opportunities through the Americorps program.
93% of YouthBuild KCK's cash needs are funded through a U.S. Department of labor grant, with the balance funded through YouthBuild USA and private donations.
Eligibility
You are eligible to participate in YouthBuild KCK if you:
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are between the ages of 16 and 24;
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have dropped out of high school (with some exceptions);
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are in need of workplace skills (unemployed/underemployed);
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are a Wyandotte County resident**; and
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possess a strong desire to improve yourself and become a community leader.
**YouthBuild KCK does have limited space in its enrollments to serve individuals in the KC metro who are not Wyandotte County residents.
In addition to those three primary criteria, a participant also have at least one additional qualifier below (with some exceptions):
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low-income
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current or former foster youth
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youth or adult offender
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a disability
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a migrant farm worker youth
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a child of an incarcerated parent