Building Youth, One Class at a Time

Since 1997, YouthBuild Providence has been re-engaging and inspiring returning students who are pursuing secondary education and provided low-income youth with the skills necessary to build a more financially secure future and more stable communities. YouthBuild serves 16-24 years olds who are often parents, homeless, returning to their communities from prison, and suffering from physical or emotional trauma.

Despite its enormous success in the community, now is a critical time for YouthBuild Providence. Many YouthBuild programs across the country closed this past year, and while YouthBuild Providence has a 2-year grant from the Department of Labor, it is likely the grant will not be renewed.  Federal funding cuts loom and threaten to disrupt YouthBuild’s critical services, so they are counting on the support of friends and allies. This is why I am reaching out to the RI Future community.

For the first time, YouthBuild Providence is working to establish a local individual donor base to help them stay afloat.  I am asking that you donate what you can to support YouthBuild Providence and enable them to continue providing mental health and case management services to their students, compensate for exceptional and passionate educators, invest in construction sites, and purchase academic materials and supplies.  All of this helps YouthBuild in its mission to re-engage out of school youth, bring them back to the classroom, and prepare for independent, meaningful and productive lives.  I am committed to help raise $25,000 for this purpose.  Click here to donate.

Please make a donation in the amount of $50.00, or an amount that you are comfortable with, to help us sustain the foundation of excellence that distinguishes and defines YouthBuild: rigorous academics; exceptional and caring faculty; longstanding commitment to equity and opportunity; and a service conscious education. Your support will allow YouthBuild Providence to continue to focus resources on educating and serving disadvantaged youth and their families. As YouthBuild students say every morning, “The collective will of the community is the greatest force conceivable.”

To make a gift to YouthBuild Providence, send a check made payable to “Providence Plan for YouthBuild Providence” to 66 Chaffee Street, Providence, RI 02909.

Finally, you should come to YouthBuild Providence’s first annual Meet and Greet – “Picture a School @ Gallery Z” on Thursday, November 17th from 5 to 8pm.  Come celebrate YouthBuild and share poetry, art, food, and drink, learn what’s ahead for the program, share your vision, and help build a new school for inspiring students.