YouthBuild AmeriCorps | Goodwill Industries, Inc., Serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa

Offers a national pre-apprenticeship educational, leadership, development and occupational skills-training program for disadvantaged and at-risk youth ages 16–24. This community-based pre-apprenticeship program provides job training and educational opportunities for youth who previously dropped out of high school.

In the program, young adults learn vocational skills in construction and provide community service through the required construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own communities. Youth split their time between the vocational training work site and the classroom, where they earn their high school diploma or equivalency degree, learn to become community leaders, and prepare for post-secondary training opportunities, including college, apprenticeships and employment. YouthBuild includes significant support systems, such as mentoring, follow-up education, employment and personal counseling services; participation in community service; and civic engagement.