The YouthBuild program
is an employment training program for at-risk youth primarily from Hennepin
County. Participants rehab and rebuild homes in low-income neighborhoods with
our housing partner, Urban Homeworks. During the school year, the program
operates in conjunction with alternative schools so that youth attend school
and work during alternate weeks.
This summer, Tree Trust offered an extended
program to participants who earned a spot on an advanced crew through their
work ethic and attitude during the school year program. Advanced crew
participants worked five days per week from June through August with the daily
guidance, support and encouragement of their crew leader. The advanced crew
finished their summer work on August 24 and the following article is written by
their crew leader, Ty Nelson.
Learn more about the
program or apply here.
It was near program’s end when I was asked for a
highlight of the 2012 YouthBuild Advanced Summer Crew. But I couldn’t provide a
single example; not for the reason that my group had done nothing memorable in
ten weeks, but because their accomplishments were countless. I simply couldn’t narrow
their achievements down to one crowning point. Therefore, like a proud poppa, I
rattled off a highlight reel instead of a lone capstone.
From June 18 till August 24 the ambitious contingent
worked on various Urban Homeworks properties in North Minneapolis. They set the
tone instantly, fleetly finishing the garage they started from the slab up this
past April. In fact they shingled, sided, and installed the stall’s soffit and
fascia in less than a fortnight. And
during the Dog Days to follow, the five-member squad completed many challenging
tasks, such as tearing down a four-story chimney, spending three days reroofing
another garage, siding two more, and putting in the drain tile around an entire
basement in just one day. Due to their efficiency and consistency, the summer
crew was appropriately deemed the “A-Team” by Urban Homeworks staff.
Though the A-Team’s construction skills were
excellent, what I found more impressive was their character. They took a lot of
pride in their work. There were numerous moments, for instance, when I saw a
YouthBuilder remove a length of siding or tear off a shingle in order to
realign the piece perfectly. They also displayed great teamwork. On a couple of
occasions my group collaborated with the Quicksilvers—Urban’s longtime lineup of
mostly retired professionals—successfully installing several new windows on two
different houses. Last but not least, the crew members proved their tenacity
time and time again. Despite the difficulty of the project, the umpteen wasp
nests they uncovered, or whether the weather was sweltering, they were rarely
fazed. Attendance was normally 90% or better.
The YouthBuilders sought ways to grow off the
jobsite too. Not only did they earn their CPR/First Aid certifications, but
they volunteered for a morning in the Food Bank at Second Harvest Heartland as
well. Interested in furthering their education, they also toured the campuses
of Hennepin Tech and Saint Paul College.
Regardless of their aforementioned feats, however,
I’d say the best part of my experience with the Advanced Summer Crew (if I had
to choose) was witnessing this group accomplish so much in such a short amount
of time. Because of their remarkable resolve, I’m naturally excited for what
the future has in store for these five go-getters. I’m sure there are many more
highlights to come.
—Tyrel
Nelson, YouthBuild Crew Leader
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