Easterseals Redwood
2901 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Easterseals Redwood Youth Construction Pathway
At Easterseals Redwood, we know that the answer to poverty is opportunity, not charity. This is the heart of what we do – we create breakthrough moments for the individuals we serve to find and succeed in employment, earn a living wage, give back to the community and break the cycle of poverty. ESRW’s Youth Construction Pathway helps at-risk youth attain not only their GED or high school diploma, but provides credentialed training, practical experience and placement and apprenticeship opportunities in the construction trade – one of the most “in-demand” industries locally. Youth Construction Pathway is unlike any other local program as participants gain practical, hands-on work hardening training through the rehabilitation/building of low-income housing. This year, up to 225 young men and women will physically make a positive impact on the community while building a career for themselves and a future for their families.
Program Goals:
Because it is comprehensive in its approach, the YCP combines multiple objectives at once and serves as:??
• A community service program, in which young people get to build and/or rehabilitate housing for homeless and/or other low-income people, providing the most valuable and visible commodity for their hard-pressed communities: affordable housing.??
• An alternative school model, designed to help youth achieve their high school diploma or GED and take direct steps into employment in in-demand industries.??
• A job training, pre-apprenticeship and employment program, in which young people receive on-site training in construction skills, and then get placed in construction-related jobs or apprenticeships.??
• A leadership development program, in which young people share in the governance of their own program and participate actively in community affairs.??
• A youth development program, in which young people participate in personal counseling, peer support groups, and life-planning processes that assist them in healing from past hurts, overcoming negative habits and attitudes, and pursue achievable goals that will establish a productive life.??
• A Workforce Development Program that works with non-union and union construction companies to fill critical vacancies and to develop registered apprenticeships and career pathways.?
Easterseals Redwood established the following goals and objectives for the Youth Construction Pathway program in 2023:?
• Up to 225 youth will be enrolled in the Youth Construction Pathway?
• All youth will receive in-depth assessments, Individualized Service Plans, and dedicated case-management services to address issues such as drug use, violence, and abuse.?
• 75% of youth will improve literacy, numeracy and communication levels?
• 75% of youth will obtain their GED or high school diploma?
• 100% of youth will develop “foundational employability skills” and engage in workplace training, on-site work experience, and community service?
• 100% of youth will attain their high school diploma/GED, the NCRC and NCCER Certifications and take part in OSHA-10 and Forklift/Bobcat training?
• 75% of all graduates will be placed in employment or apprenticeships?
• 30 individuals will be placed in apprenticeships?
• All Youth Construction Pathway graduates will receive 12 months follow-up services?
• ESRW will rehabilitate and construct properties for sale to low-income families
Program Results:
Easterseals Redwood is pleased to report that YCP met or exceeded all goals and objectives. The support of the Charles H. Dater Foundation provided us with critical resources that allowed the program to achieve the following results:
• 236 youth enrolled across Youth Construction Pathway (goal: 225)
• 100% of youth will receive in-depth assessments, Individualized Service Plans, and dedicated case-management services to address issues such as drug use, violence, and abuse (goal: 100%)
• 96% of youth improved literacy, numeracy and communication levels (goal: 75%)
• 90% of youth achieved high school diploma or high school equivalency (goal: 75%)
• 100% of youth developed “foundational employability skills” and engaged in workplace training, on-site work experience, and community service?
• 100% of youth attained their high school diploma/GED, the NCCER Certifications and additional stacking credentials such as OSHA-10 and Forklift/Bobcat training?(goal: 100%)
• 83% of graduates were placed into employment or enrolled in post-secondary education (goal: 75%)
• 32 graduates were placed into registered apprenticeships (goal: 30)
• 100% of graduates received or are currently receiving 12 months of follow-up support (goal: 100%)
Website:
http://www.eastersealsredwood.org Amount: $40,000
Date: February 2023
