Ulster YouthBuild started in Kingston, New York, Ulster County in 1994. Ulster YouthBuild is a comprehensive job training, educational, leadership development, and community development program focused on assisting out-of-school low-income young people between the ages of 16 to 24. Applicants for the program are required to attend Mental Toughness Orientation before they can be enrolled in the program. Once selected for enrollment, participants begin the regular program schedule, which consist of spending half of their time in the YouthBuild classroom, where they prepare for taking the New York State High School Equivalency test, and half of their time being trained in construction skills at the YouthBuild construction project sites. Typically with determination, the program can be completed in six months and participants can earn a bi-weekly stipend while studying for their high school equivalent test, gaining skills needed to join the workforce, and giving back to the community by building affordable housing. The construction training is the vehicle used in the program to prepare participants for real work and job readiness.
YouthBuild program components include NYS High School Equivalency test preparation, Leadership Development and Life Skills training, Case Management and Counseling, on-the-job construction skill training, and training that leads to specific certifications such as – HBI-PACT, NCCER, OSHA, Lead Renovator, and BPI. The program provides follow-up support, resume and interview tips, and job placement assistance. Participants receive compassionate interaction from a very supportive staff throughout each program component, and it is this camaraderie that allows Ulster YouthBuild member to work on rebuilding their lives, and to move forward in a more positive direction. A major contribution to the community is the rehabilitation or construction of houses that participants work on, and in return the houses are sold to first-time low-income home buyers.
The Ulster YouthBuild program has been in existence in Ulster County for more than 25 years, and to the date has served more than 650 young people. In collaboration with the City of Kingston and Ulster County Habitat for Humanity, Ulster YouthBuild has rehabilitated and constructed 24 houses located in the City of Kingston, the Village of Ellenville, and the Town of Ulster. Ulster YouthBuild has further contributed to the community through community service learning projects that included: construction of a member lounge and a teen center at the YMCA, building of a shower complex located on the Rondout Waterfront in Kingston that is used by boating tourists docking at the waterfront and visiting our community, building of a gazebo at Rotary Park located at Kingston Point on the Hudson River, rehabilitating of a city community center building to create additional recreational space, construction of several handicap ramps for house-bound elderly, installation of a new roof on the Veterans of Foreign (VFW) Center, replaced the floors for a local homeless center and rehabilitated a building on the campus of SUNY Ulster County Community College to provide a location for UCCC's Clean Energy Technology Training (CETT) Center.
The mission of Ulster YouthBuild is to unleash the positive energy of young adults to rebuild their lives and communities with a commitment to work, education, responsibility, and family. To create a community of caring, solidarity, teamwork, and optimism. Ulster YouthBuild is available to help young adults, ages 16 to 24, who want to finish school, start a career, and plan for the future. Interested and ready to get started? Eligibility requirements are below and the Ulster YouthBuild application can be downloaded from this website or visit the office for an application. For additional information contact the office at 845-331-2381 or visit the office at 2 Main Street, Kingston, NY, 12401.
Eligibility Requirements
Ulster YouthBuild is an equal opportunity program and employer. Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
YouthBuild program components include NYS High School Equivalency test preparation, Leadership Development and Life Skills training, Case Management and Counseling, on-the-job construction skill training, and training that leads to specific certifications such as – HBI-PACT, NCCER, OSHA, Lead Renovator, and BPI. The program provides follow-up support, resume and interview tips, and job placement assistance. Participants receive compassionate interaction from a very supportive staff throughout each program component, and it is this camaraderie that allows Ulster YouthBuild member to work on rebuilding their lives, and to move forward in a more positive direction. A major contribution to the community is the rehabilitation or construction of houses that participants work on, and in return the houses are sold to first-time low-income home buyers.
The Ulster YouthBuild program has been in existence in Ulster County for more than 25 years, and to the date has served more than 650 young people. In collaboration with the City of Kingston and Ulster County Habitat for Humanity, Ulster YouthBuild has rehabilitated and constructed 24 houses located in the City of Kingston, the Village of Ellenville, and the Town of Ulster. Ulster YouthBuild has further contributed to the community through community service learning projects that included: construction of a member lounge and a teen center at the YMCA, building of a shower complex located on the Rondout Waterfront in Kingston that is used by boating tourists docking at the waterfront and visiting our community, building of a gazebo at Rotary Park located at Kingston Point on the Hudson River, rehabilitating of a city community center building to create additional recreational space, construction of several handicap ramps for house-bound elderly, installation of a new roof on the Veterans of Foreign (VFW) Center, replaced the floors for a local homeless center and rehabilitated a building on the campus of SUNY Ulster County Community College to provide a location for UCCC's Clean Energy Technology Training (CETT) Center.
The mission of Ulster YouthBuild is to unleash the positive energy of young adults to rebuild their lives and communities with a commitment to work, education, responsibility, and family. To create a community of caring, solidarity, teamwork, and optimism. Ulster YouthBuild is available to help young adults, ages 16 to 24, who want to finish school, start a career, and plan for the future. Interested and ready to get started? Eligibility requirements are below and the Ulster YouthBuild application can be downloaded from this website or visit the office for an application. For additional information contact the office at 845-331-2381 or visit the office at 2 Main Street, Kingston, NY, 12401.
Eligibility Requirements
- Participant must be between the age of 16 to 24, male or female, and out-of-school
- Must be authorized to work in the United States
- Able to commit to the program for full-time for the duration of their time with the program
- Willing to develop, work towards, and achieve employment, case management, and educational goals
- Ready and willing to work hard independently and as a team
Ulster YouthBuild is an equal opportunity program and employer. Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
