What We Do
Quad YouthBuild is a comprehensive workforce development program for out-of-school, unemployed, low-income youth ages 16-24. Quad YouthBuild improves the community and the lives of opportunity youth by harnessing the potential youth have and putting them to work. QYB integrates work experience with education, occupational skills development in construction and other career pathways, support services, leadership development, and alumni success.
QYB provides wraparound services to ensure given the skills to succeed and be self-sufficient in everyday life!
Our Perspective
See More About Us
Our Services
What We Are All About
High School Diploma
Education is a key component of Quad YouthBuild. At Quad YouthBuild, young adults spend roughly half of their time advancing their formal education goals. These can include: working toward their high school diploma or its equivalent, numeracy and literacy skill-building, and hands-on learning, focused on livelihood preparation. In supportive, individualized learning environments, they gain the skills and obtain the certifications or credentials needed to pursue a diverse range of careers and livelihoods, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education.
Construction, Healthcare, and Hospitality Occupational Training
Youth receive occupational training in the construction trade. They may also receive occupational training in healthcare and/or hospitality. This allows participants to develop basic occupational skills with practical hands-on experience building affordable housing while earning industry-recognized certifications. On the job training is a key to successful occupational skills training and participants spend many hours doing on the job training. They also learn and refine soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability.
Community Service
Youth in Quad YouthBuild build affordable housing for low-income or homeless individuals, providing a valuable and visible commodity in the community and meeting a community need. Youth are co-enrolled into AmeriCorps where they can earn an education award that can be used for post-secondary opportunities.
Leadership Development & Life Skills Counseling
Leadership development is implemented into all areas of the program through various activities and service learning projects that encourage leadership, post-secondary exploration, career exploration, and service learning. Youth also share in governance of the program through an elected policy counsel.
Youth participate in life planning processes and counseling that assist them in achieving goals that will establish a productive life.
Youth develop the skillsets and mindsets required to grow into community leaders. They learn that leadership, accountability, collaboration, diversity, and love hold the power to reclaim lives and communities, one person and one project at a time. They help change the conditions of poverty through civic engagement and community service.
Career Exploration & Training
Career and college exploration and planning are the program culture at Quad YouthBuild. Career exploration and planning are ongoing and include assessing the participants' strengths and interests, life plans, job-seeking skills, and general workforce skills preparation on how one should behave on the worksite. Participants in Quad YouthBuild are encouraged from day one to explore post-secondary options through college tours, guest speakers, financial aid assistance, interest inventories, introduction to college life courses, and simply talking about college as an attainable goal.
Alumni Success
Quad YouthBuild teaches young people the skills needed for professional success and lifelong learning. They develop the skillsets and mindsets needed to become truly employable, including market-relevant technical skills, networking skills, professionalism, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial habits that foster the adaptable mindset they need to thrive in future careers.
What Our Participants Are Saying
Don’t just listen to us. Listen to those who have the most to say.
Latest News
Recent Ramblings and What We’ve Been Up to