Portland Youthbuilders

TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO CHANGING THEIR LIVES TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE WORKFORCE AND THEIR COMMUNITY.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING - PYB STUDENTS ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF TWO VOCATIONAL TRACKS THAT BUILD SKILLS TOWARD QUALIFICATION FOR LIVING-WAGE JOBS.CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS: LED BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS, CONSTRUCTION STUDENTS GAIN A FIRM GROUNDING IN ALL ASPECTS OF CONSTRUCTION, FROM POURING FOUNDATIONS TO INSTALLING INTERIOR FINISHES. WORKING WITH CLIENTS SUCH AS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, THEY PRODUCE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. PYB OFFERS TWO CONSTRUCTION TRAINING PROGRAMS - THE INTENSIVE 9-WEEK BRIDGE PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, AND A FULL YEAR PROGRAM FOR YOUTHBUILD STUDENTS WORKING TOWARD HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION.COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM: IN 2001, PYB WAS SELECTED AS ONE OF FOUR YOUTHBUILD SITES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO RECEIVE FUNDING FOR A PILOT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. TODAY, STUDENTS AT PYBS TECHNOLOGY WORKSITE ARE TRAINED IN COMPUTER CODING, IT SERVICES, AND MANUFACTURING BASICS. THEY PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND TEACH BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS CLASSES AT SENIOR CENTERS, LIBRARIES, AND THE LOCAL WORKSOURCE CENTER.

ACADEMIC EDUCATION - PYB STUDENTS EARN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS OR GED CERTIFICATES. ACADEMIC TEACHERS INSTRUCT STUDENTS IN SMALL GROUPS AND ONE-ON-ONE, USING PROJECT-BASED CURRICULA THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE LEVEL WORK AND SUCCESSFUL ENROLLMENT IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.

STUDENT SUPPORT - PYB PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT SERVICES TO STUDENTS:COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES: PYB IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING EACH STUDENTS PERSONAL GROWTH AND STABILITY. UPON ARRIVAL AT PYB, STUDENTS ARE ASSIGNED COUNSELORS WHO MEET REGULARLY WITH THEM TO DISCUSS BARRIERS, HELP SET AND MONITOR PERSONAL AND CAREER GOALS, AND PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION, MEDIATION, AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: YOUTHBUILD STUDENTS RECEIVE A MONTHLY STIPEND TO ASSIST WITH LIVING EXPENSES. ALL PARTICIPANTS EARN PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVES FOR ACHIEVING CERTIFICATIONS, MAINTAINING EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE AND MEETING OTHER PROGRAM BENCHMARKS. NEED-BASED ASSISTANCE IS ALSO AVAILABLE VIA CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL CASE MANAGEMENT TEAMS, WHICH REVIEW STUDENT PROGRESS WEEKLY. GRADUATE SERVICES: PYB IS COMMITTED TO STUDENTS LONG TERM SUCCESS. AFTER STUDENTS COMPLETE THE CORE PYB PROGRAM, COUNSELORS AND CAREER COACHES CONTINUE TO MEET WITH THEM INDIVIDUALLY, PROVIDING A MINIMUM OF ONE YEAR OF INTENSIVE FOLLOW-UP SUPPORT. STUDENTS IN COLLEGE OR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS RECEIVE MULTIPLE YEAR GRADUATE SUPPORT UNTIL THEY COMPLETE THEIR POST-SECONDARY GOALS.