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Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD - Greeted by cheers and standing ovations, Taylor Caswell, the regional director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development presents the YWCA of Springfield YouthBuild program with a $700,000 grant on Jan. 31 that will allow the program to continue its work in the city. The grant is part of a federal fund of $45.5 million used nation-wide for such programs. Mary Reardon Johnson, the YWCA's executive director, said the federal funding was the "cornerstone" of the program and the process to receive the finding was "very competitive with no room for error." The national program is open to young people between the ages of 16 and 24, many of who have not finished high school and come from low-income families. During the course of the program, the students earn their GED and learn construction skills that often times leads to a job after graduation. Currently, there are more than 200 YouthBuild programs nation-wide with more than 3,000 students. In Springfield, the YWCA YouthBuild program has had 235 participants since 1998. The YouthBuild students have constructed eight new homes during that time. Currently there are 32 students enrolled in this year's class, which is an average number, Susan Rabbitt, the YouthBuild program director, said. One hundred-sixty students applied for the program. Rabbitt explained the YouthBuild programs vary greatly nationally and the Springfield program runs from September to June. There is sometimes a summer program as well. "The YouthBuild program serves a population that needs a bridge between youth and adulthood, Caswell said. "The YWCA has an excellent track record using this funding to help these teenagers earn their diplomas and start them on a new career path. At the same time we are producing affordable homes for low-income families, which creates another advantage for the community." Mayor Charles Ryan told the students gathered for the presentation "you're giving as much as your getting" through their participation in the program. Ryan noted his promise to the program to turn over a city-owned property to them for the construction of another home. Rabbitt explained the process is under way to transfer a city tax title property to Habitat for Humanity, YouthBuild's partner in building affordable housing. Although Johnson lauded Rabbitt for her direction of the program, Rabbitt said the success was due to "the remarkable young people whom we work with every year." | ||||||
