Young Detroit Builders

Detroit Highlighted (Part 2): Deconstruction Workshop

Sat., June 26, 2010

10am-12pm

Hush House Porch Project (continued)

Fri., June 25, 2010

8am-12pm

Hush House Porch Project

Thurs., June 24, 2010

8am-3pm

On Wabash St.

Wed, 06/23/2010 – 1:00pm – 5:30pm

Tue, 06/22/2010 – 11:00am – 1:00pm

Join us as we discuss our work: Young Detroit Builders is dedicated to assisting young adults in transforming their lives to produce positive outcomes. Participants are unemployed young adults, ages 18-24, who build affordable housing, do repair and maintenance work for low-income families in Detroit while preparing for the GED examination; and learning to be community leaders while preparing for jobs or further education. The organization is in the early stages of implementing an environmentally-friendly deconstruction and materials reuse business. Young Detroit Builders’ purpose is to unleash the positive energy of unemployed young adults to rebuild their communities and transform their lives with a commitment to work, education and leadership.

USSF2010.org

“VOLUNTEERISM IN DETROIT” A (RE)GENERATION STRATEGY

June 15, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

The Elevator Building

1938 Franklin St.

Detroit, MI 48207

During this June event, seven Detroit non-profits including YDB, will present their origins, inspirations, and body of work within our City. Following the presentations, an informal panel discussion will focus on (Re)generating Detroit, one impactful volunteer effort at a time.

Click here for more info!

Young Detroit Builders is now located at:

1627 W. Lafayette

Detroit, MI 48216

If you are coming from our old location on Trumbull, then head south on Trumbull and make a right on W. Lafayette. The building will be on your left hand side.

1627 W. Lafayette

(Money Management will be held at 1432 Leverette, which is across the parking lot of the old location)

YDB’s newest cycle of students came to Young Detroit Builders and went right to work when assigned the exciting task of building a prototype of a temporary Haitian shelter. When architect Kevin Turner of CityBuild came to YDB with the task, they immediately told Kevin to count them in.

The shelter is made out of 80 pound sand & dirt bags. The bags are stacked on top of each other and secured by a strip of barbed wire. Students completed the prototype in two days. One shelter can fit 8 Haitians inside.

Ultimately, Kevin would like for the people of Haiti to be able to build the shelters for themselves, so in case of emergency, they will not be left on the streets.

See more on Channel 4 News

On February 26th, students spent their morning volunteering at Gleaners Food Bank. Using teamwork, they were able to pack 111 boxes of food and sort over 5,000 pounds of food in only 3 hours! We had fun serving our community. Thanks Gleaners!

Gleaners Community Food Bank

On January 25, the students in cycle 15A made the decision that they wanted to change their lives, but this would be no easy task. There were 3 weeks of workshops, physical training, community service, and construction prep. Those that stayed until the end proved that they were up for the challenge. Congratulations guys!

Students help prepare and serve lunch to the seniors at St. Patricks Senior Center

Students serve ice cream to the seniors at St. Patrick's Ice Cream Social

We’ve added a Calendar page to keep you informed of upcoming events! Check back often to see what we’re up to!

On February 10, YDB will be hosting an open house for past graduates. Lunch will be provided and staff will give information about GED re-testing and tutoring, as well as career services.

Who Should Attend? YDB graduates both with and without their GED.

Students Who’ve Earned their GED:
1. Job Placement
2. Career Skill Building
3. Resume Writing Workshop

Students Who Still Need to Earn a GED:
1. Get a tutoring schedule and preparation to pass the GED
2. Scheduled date to take the GED test.

The program starts at noon and bus tickets will be provided for the return home.

We hope to see you on the 10th!

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, Young Detroit Builders (YDB) will host a census advocacy workshop entitled “Dispelling the Myths, Let’s be Counted in 2010.” The objective of the event is to educate the community about the importance of the census and to dispel any myths that might discourage individuals from participating in the census count.

“Many people withhold information and are therefore undercounted because of their fear of what will be done with the information once it is collected. YDB would like to help clear up some of the confusion,” said Indira Pierce, Leadership Development Specialist at YDB.

The census workshop will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 1950 Trumbull in Detroit from 5p.m.-7p.m. Guest speakers are Dr. Jerome Reide, Field Organizer for NAACP National, and Brian White from the Census Bureau. In addition to dispelling myths, speakers will also talk about census job opportunities.

YDB selected this particular event as their MLK Day of Service Project because of the connection of the census to civil rights. According to the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund, “An accurate census affects the nation’s ability to ensure equal representation & equal access to resources.”

YDB wanted to become involved because they provide services to the same populations that are most commonly undercounted in the census and, therefore, denied valuable resources. So, instead of cleaning or painting, this year YDB students chose to serve by offering knowledge, which could result in major change for some Detroit communities.

Be a part of an event that will support local social agencies and ministries! On Sunday, January 31 at Faith, Troy, in conjunction with a five choir concert, an in-gathering will take place for Young Detroit Builders, Abigayle Ministries, Big Family of Michigan, Samaritan House, Grace Centers of Hope, Latino Mission Society, Mid-Michigan Community Action, LOVE, Inc., Family Counseling Shelter Services, and Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.  For a list of in-gathering items and for concert details, click here