Youth Build Program Comes to Hempstead
In the current economic downturn, disillusionment continues to be the most pervasive problem in America’s communities, and the problem from which so many others spring homelessness and crime. To reverse these negative trends, the best place to start has historically been traditional anti-poverty programs. It has become clear to me as your Mayor that new creative approaches are also needed – approaches that recognize this population as a resource, not just a challenge.
Working with Family and Children’s Association, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the Education & Assistance Corporation, the Village’s Community Development Agency and the United Way of Long Island the Village of Hempstead is proud to announce that it will be opening a portion of Campbell Park to assist the Youth Build program on July 9, 2009. This program teaches young people to learn the construction trade by hands-on experience. This program recognizes that educational and employment opportunities are pathways toward a brighter future for our young people.
The link between job creation and increasing self-sufficiency is well known and programs such as Youth-Build will be used to combat the disillusionment so prevalent among our young people and assist them in transitioning to well-paying and sustainable jobs. While this cannot occur overnight, changes can be made for the better through the implementation of programs such as Youth-Build that invest in the people living and working inside our community. For many, this program will be their ticket for success. For our community, it help ensure the development of a strong talent pipeline and economic competitiveness.