Every year, thousands of disadvantaged youth drop out of high school, starting down a road that too often leads to poverty, dependence, and crime. *YouthBuild helps youth choose the more productive path toward self-sufficiency by enabling them to earn a GED and gain marketable construction skills. In YouthBuild, participants spend time learning in the classroom, earning income as a trainee at construction sites, and contributing to their community by helping to build or rehabilitate affordable housing.

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YouthBuild Columbia programs offer educational and job training services, leadership training, counseling and other supportive services, as well as on-site  training in housing construction. 

YouthBuild Columbia pays for the costs of:

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• GED preparation and Adult Education

• Participant wages for construction training

• Participant stipends for classroom training

• Other training related service