Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

June 23, 2009

Grant puts students to work building home

Project is one of three funded through YouthBuild

By LAURA WRIGHT

TRAVERSE CITY -- Summer began shortly before noon on June 11 for students in Traverse City Area Public Schools.

But more than 70 of them will hang onto their pencils over summer break, and they'll also wield a hammer and saw, courtesy of federal and local programs designed to both put young people to work and help them hone academic skills.

Students from Traverse City High School who work with Traverse City Youth Corp will construct a Habitat for Humanity house in the area, one of three such regional projects to be funded through a $687,500 federal grant tied to a national program known as YouthBuild.

A Manistee Habitat house and a Beaver Island senior living facility also will be constructed. The Traverse City building site has yet to be determined.

"We're developing a whole new program here," said Eric Clone, Youth Corp director at TC High. "As kids mature through Youth Corp, the idea is to graduate them into a higher responsibility level, into home construction."

YouthBuild is a federal program that helps students ages 16-24 earn their high school diploma or GED and provide them "green" skills training in the construction field.

Students are expected to learn environmentally friendly building techniques and how to update existing homes and communities to make them more energy efficient. Participants exit the program with a national construction certificate and may then pair with housing organizations to put newly acquired skills into action.

"To be able to interact with the students, and become a support mechanism for them, we answer questions while they're working. I believe that the students win, I believe that we win," said Amy Wojciechowski, president of Manistee County Habitat for Humanity. "Those students in particular are more in need of healthy, strong relationships. When we can make a difference in their lives, how exciting is that?"

TCAPS' Youth Corp began in 2004, has served more than 130 students, and has partnerships with organizations throughout the community.

"In the summer, we have three crews doing conservation work," said Clone. "During winter, we do a lot of humanitarian type work with Father Fred, painting, helping out more indoors."

The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments will oversee projects at the three locations, and divide money among the sites. Stipends will be awarded to Traverse City and Manistee students for each of 36 weeks successfully completed.

"YouthBuild is not just about job training, it's also about developing confidence, leadership skills, and finding direction in your life," said Elaine Wood, the council of government's deputy director. "It is about a lot of personal development, and has a very strong education component. Most of the youth do not have a high school diploma or GED."

Benton Harbor, Flint, Lansing and Jackson will also begin similar two year projects this summer.

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