Why does YouthBuild CORE-2 matter?

YouthBuild CORE-2 is a federally funded program that helps young people (ages 16–24) earn a high school diploma, gain hands-on construction skills, build leadership skills, and earn financial incentives. Here’s how the program is helping them build skills, confidence, and a path forward:

• Many young people face real barriers to finishing school, finding stable work, or knowing what step to take next. Some need a second chance. Some need support, structure, and encouragement. Some need someone to believe in their potential.

• We welcome parents, foster youth, court-involved youth, high school dropouts, youth with disabilities, and migrant youth.

• Our Spring 2026 YouthBuild CORE-2 cohort is going strong, and we’re so proud to see participants building skills, confidence, leadership, and community!

• This program is about more than job training. It helps young people discover their strengths, connect with mentors, and create pathways toward long-term opportunity.

We’re now recruiting for our next cohort! Help us spread the word to young people who are ready to build what’s next. Email us: connect@hoodhuggersfoundation.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.