Kim Hughes and Sara Silva, executive directors of EntreNous Youth Empowerment Services and Compton YouthBuild program, traveled to Washington, D.C. on May 22 to advocate for YouthBuild’s critical legislative priorities. Hughes and Silva visited the congressional offices of Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris to encourage their support for federal funding that will allow YouthBuild to continue to help thousands of low-income youth rebuild their communities and their lives.
Compton YouthBuild is one of 260 local programs across the country serving low-income young people ages 16 to 24 years. This year, YouthBuild USA is celebrating 40 years of work advancing its’ mission to unleash the intelligence and positive energy of young people to transform their lives and their communities. At YouthBuild programs like Compton YouthBuild, unemployed and out-of-school young people work toward their high school diploma or equivalency, while learning career skills by building affordable housing and other community assets in their neighborhoods and engaging in community service and leadership training. Graduates leave prepared for success in post-secondary education, careers, and registered apprenticeships— and as a part of a strong and supportive community.
“We, in the YouthBuild movement, are grateful for the bipartisan support we have received in Washington, DC. YouthBuild is a cost effective evidence based program providing critical services to our most vulnerable youth. Thank you for supporting our young people,” said Silva.
“YouthBuild directors see firsthand the needs of our young people, and they work every day to empower our youth to become ethical young leaders,” said John Valverde, CEO of YouthBuild USA. “We encourage Congress to continue their strong record of supporting young people who are working towards improving their lives and their communities.”
Compton Youthbuild (CYB) delivers workforce, leadership and educational opportunities for under resourced and economically disadvantaged young people from Compton, South Los Angeles and surrounding communities. They offer “wraparound” services including programs, resources, and guidance, and are provided free of charge. The current career pathways of focus are the construction trades, hospitality/culinary arts, and information technology with an emphasis in logistics.
For more information about Compton YouthBuild, visit www.comptonyouthbuild.org.
