YouthBuild Louisville

Who We Are

At YouthBuild Louisville, we empower young adults aged 18-24 from low-income backgrounds to become educated, skilled, and confident leaders. Our focus on education, job training, and leadership development nurtures a capable and committed workforce. We envision a future where our students, equipped with life and job skills, become resilient adults dedicated to their families, communities, and careers.

What We Do

YouthBuild Louisville goes beyond traditional YouthBuild programs by offering a comprehensive support system. In addition to education, job training, and community service, we provide resources like our SummerWorks opportunities, housing through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP), and job training via the Urban Conservation Corps (UCC). These services allow us to better serve our students and meet the needs of the community.

How We Do It

We offer a transformative environment for young people, many of whom lack a high school diploma or GED, a significant barrier in today's job market. As an alternative school, we provide small classes and individualized tutoring, preparing students for college or apprenticeships. YouthBuild Louisville is a transformative space where young people can reclaim their futures.

Smoketown Community Center

The Smoketown Community Center will offer a welcoming space for neighbors to meet and celebrate, indoors and outdoors. It will provide a secure environment for youth to study, access technology, and engage in leadership development activities. The center will also offer out-of-school programs for opportunity youth and young adults, encouraging growth and development.

Job Training

In addition to academics, students gain hands-on experience in the Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, and Professional Medical Careers, enhancing their employability. We partner with local employers to ensure our training meets industry standards. Many alumni return as staff, eager to give back to the community.

Community Service

Community service is central to our program, with each student completing at least 450 hours of service. This earns them an AmeriCorps educational scholarship while instilling a deep sense of community responsibility. Our projects, which range from building affordable housing to environmental sustainability, allow students to make meaningful contributions. Last year, our students contributed nearly 40,000 hours of service.

SummerWorks

Our SummerWorks office expands job opportunities for youth, particularly in neighborhoods like Smoketown. As a full-time Job Development Center, SummerWorks complements our existing programs, making YouthBuild Louisville a hub for career development and community engagement.

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)

Addressing poverty is at the core of our mission. YHDP provides transitional housing for eligible young adults and their families, offering a pathway out of instability. By meeting their basic needs, we empower young adults and their families to focus on long-term goals, transitioning from survival to self-reliance.

Counseling & Supportive Services

Poverty can lead to lasting psychological challenges. Our case managers provide personal counseling, peer support, and life-planning activities to help students heal from trauma and build positive habits.

Urban Conservation Corps (UCC)

Our Urban Conservation Corps trains AmeriCorps members in green job skills through community service and environmental education. Focusing on urban conservation, participants work on projects like removing invasive species, trail building, and sustainable urban agriculture. Our UCC program, which will manage the 3.5-acre farming area at Albert O. Jones Park, fosters a connection between members and the natural environment.

Youth Violence Prevention

The Youth Violence Prevention program targets community violence through mediation and behavior change, using community advocates trained to detect and prevent violence. These workers, often from similar backgrounds as at-risk individuals, engage in conflict mediation and connect high-risk individuals to services like job training and treatment. By promoting non-violent norms, the program aims to create safer neighborhoods through trust-building and community engagement.