Meet KP, a YouthBuild CORE-2 participant!
"My name is Kyleigh, but I go by KP. I love spending time outside, listening to the sounds of nature, the birds, and enjoying the colors. I sometimes ride my bike, and I play basketball.
How did I get to YouthBuild CORE-2? I was planning to soft drop out of high school and get a job because I wanted to work. Then my nanny told me about this program, and I thought it was a great idea. I had done some things before, like fixing the porch at my girlfriend’s home, but with YouthBuild, I saw that I could get real training, earn credentials, and work toward a real job doing something I liked. What a great opportunity, I thought! This program saved my life.
I started a month and a half ago, and I really like the environment; it’s very welcoming, and I love that I’m still in a classroom with other people, but preparing for a job.
My favorite part of the program? Building! On Tuesdays, we work with WORX Project in Fairview, and we are learning how to build, work with tools, and sometimes we tear old structures down. It’s so much fun!
Math is my biggest challenge. I’ve never been good at math, but my tutor Bill from Literacy Together is helping me a lot. The YouthBuild CORE-2 team has been very helpful. Everyone tries to understand you, and they are patient, and it’s good.
I’m proud of myself for getting up on time every day. I was late only once because of a traffic issue, but I’ve been very punctual, and I’m happy about that.
If someone is thinking of joining, I’d say, do it, but treat the program as a job, not as school, where teachers sometimes don’t care if you take a nap or use inappropriate words. Here you have to watch your language, show up on time, and not make a big personality display. You have to be professional, that’s what they teach you, and that’s a good thing.
By the time YouthBuild CORE ends, I’ll be 17, and I’d like to get a job and start working, maybe as a hairdresser or builder."
Thank you, KP!
Do you know someone who might be a good fit for YouthBuild CORE-2? We're recruiting for the fall cohort! Email us at connect@hoohuggersfoundation.org
YouthBuild CORE-2 is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. This project is funded in part (67%) by a $1,500,000 grant awarded to Land of Sky Regional Council (grantee) under the YouthBuild Program from the U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration. The total cost of this project is $2,235,000, of which $735,000, or 33%, will be supported by non-federal sources. YouthBuild CORE-2 is implemented through a collaborative partnership between Hood Huggers Foundation, Land of Sky Regional Council (grantee), and Camp Grier’s Worx Project, with educational and vocational support provided by A-BTech and Literacy Together.