Ten years ago, Troy was couch surfing and struggling to make ends meet. Now, he is a longtime YouthBuild graduate who has returned to help others as the program’s case manager.
Troy knows what it’s like to come out of a dark place. A decade ago, he was feeling lost, jumping from one minimum wage job to another, barely making ends meet while sleeping on different couches. Without many positive influences in his life, he kept hitting the same barriers. He needed a change of pace and more consistent work to get his life back on track and finish school.
While at YouthCare’s Orion Center, Troy heard about YouthBuild, a six-month pre-apprenticeship program designed to help young people learn construction skills while working towards their GED. The program also offers a weekly stipend and teaches participants soft skills and resume building to join the workforce. He already liked to work with his hands, so the program seemed like a perfect fit!
For the next six months, Troy and his cohort learned how to use tools, took field trips to job sites, built a tiny home for the Low Income Housing Institute, and worked towards GED attainment. Just as importantly, he met a strong support system of peers and mentors who helped him continue to build a stable life.
The community he found at YouthBuild ended up being one of the most impactful parts of the program for Troy. The mentors he gained and the partners he came to know were an integral part of his growth during the program and his success in the years following. “They taught us how to carry ourselves like professionals – that’s part of [YouthBuild’s] pledge. I started doing that every day and have been living like that ever since,” Troy says. “To this day, I show up early to my shift and still keep in contact with my old network of people that helped me get here.”
“They taught us how to carry ourselves like professionals – that’s part of [YouthBuild’s] pledge. I started doing that every day and have been living like that ever since…To this day, I show up early to my shift and still keep in contact with my old network of people that helped me get here.”
Troy, YouthBuild’s Client Success Navigator
After graduating from the program, Troy went on to become a union laborer with 440. These days, he has circled back to YouthBuild but this time as a staff person who now supports young people on their path to stability. As YouthBuild’s Client Success Navigator, he can apply his experience and knowledge to help young people who are going through the same challenges he once faced.
Troy points out that many participants come into the program feeling reserved and shy, but after some time and teamwork, they begin to feel safe. “I’ve seen a few participants open up more, they start to trust you more… days in or weeks in, they’re talking to everyone in their group, they’re talking to staff, they’re talking about their problems, smiling…they’re loving life again.”
Troy also supports YouthBuild participants by asking them to list five barriers that would keep them from graduating from the program, then focuses on targeting those specific challenges. One of the most common barriers reported is a lack of stable housing, which is a common obstacle in social services, along with other practical needs such as transportation and childcare.
Troy’s passion for supporting YouthBuild participants is evident when he reflects on his experience. “It’s not really work if you really like what you’re doing,” he says. “I know the program works if you apply yourself. I’ve seen so many people in my cohort and groups after me become successful after going through this program… you just see the change in their life. These skills are forever.”
The time Troy spent at YouthBuild was a challenge, but it gave him a chance to grow and find his way in life. “I learned all these different skills and met all these amazing people and staff that actually care,” Troy says. “They wanted me to be better, I wanted to be better… the staff always believed in us and held us accountable. They talked to us with positive reinforcement and our behavior and just our life in a positive way.”
Troy is a beautiful example of YouthCare’s mission coming full circle. These days, he can support young people the way he was once helped in the program that once helped him. We are so grateful that Troy chose to use his experience and wisdom to help YouthBuild participants thrive!
Troy’s contributions and collaboration with the YouthBuild team have been exceptional, truly exemplifying the effectiveness of the YouthBuild program. His success story stands as a testament to the program’s positive impact when diligently applied. We genuinely appreciate and enjoy our partnership with Troy and the entire YouthBuild crew.