Students in American YouthWorks’ YouthBuild program spent an afternoon recently touring the JW Marriott Austin jobsite, one of the largest construction sites in the area. For most, this was their first experience touring a large-scale commercial construction project, and the first chance to see first-hand the scope of jobs and skills that go into a project of this size.

Students compare the model of the project with ongoing construction activities. Photo courtesy Bernadette Donato.

American YouthWorks transforms the lives of at-risk youth through education, service, and green jobs training. AYW’s YouthBuild program is one of 264 chapters across the country. In YouthBuild programs, low-income young people ages 16 to 24 work full-time for 6 to 24 months toward their GEDs or high school diplomas while learning job skills. Emphasis is placed on leadership development, community service, and the creation of a positive mini-community of adults and youth committed to each other’s success. At exit, they are placed in college, jobs, or both.