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“Before I got to AYW, I had just gotten out of jail. Before that, I was on some hard drugs, and homeless and bouncing around from place to place. My mindset wasn’t great and I honestly didn’t think school or anything else was going to work out for me.

My mom told me about this new GED program starting in Taylor and I wasn’t really into it at first. I had already tried three other schools, and none of them worked out. But after going to orientation, something felt different. It made me feel like I could actually do it. And I’m so glad I gave it a shot.

The only real challenge I had in the program was myself. But YouthBuild gave me a lot of confidence and helped me feel like I actually wanted to learn. I also met people outside of the crowd I was used to and that really helped me grow.

While I was in the program, I got my GED, Manufacturing Certificate, OSHA 10, and CPR certified. I even visited four different colleges. What made it really special was doing it with a group of people who also didn’t come from perfect situations. We all lifted each other up and made it through together.

Honestly, every part of YouthBuild was an adventure. Even when it felt slow or tough, I was still moving forward one step at a time. I’m super grateful for AYW and everything they helped me do. I wouldn’t have gotten here without them.

Right now, I’m working at Sonic and about to move into my first house, not just an apartment, a house! I was going to start college but decided to pause for now, and that’s okay. I’m still making moves. My whole family’s doing well and I’m excited to keep building my own future.

My goals now are to get stable housing, stay on top of my bills, and keep saving. YouthBuild helped me believe I could do that and more.” – Jonah

 

YouthBuild

 

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“Before joining AYW-YB, I was struggling to find work in Los Angeles. I had spent over seven months applying to jobs with no luck. I decided to turn my focus towards the trades and had been interested in AmeriCorps for a while.

What drew me to AYW-YB was the mission. Building affordable housing really resonated with me and during my interview, the people I met seemed really great. Moving to Austin and becoming part of the program felt like the right next step.

The financial challenges were real, the stipend was small, but the support I received made all the difference. YouthBuild helped me gain confidence in the trades. The training was hands-on, my supervisors were incredibly encouraging, and I had the chance to explore opportunities outside of AYW.

During my time in the program, I became a crew leader and completed a pre-apprentice electrical training program, earning my apprentice license. I worked on impactful projects like repairing the security shed at Wild Basin, building a fence for AYW Child Inc, helping complete a home at 1611 W 10th Street, and working with Habitat for Humanity in San Marcos.

I walked away with certifications in OSHA, NCCER, Solar Installation, and Pre-Apprentice Electrical Training, plus valuable skills in solar panel installation and home framing.

The highlight for me was the people, working alongside a great team and learning how to build a house from the ground up. YouthBuild gave me the tools, confidence, and connections to take the next step in my career.” – Jamila

 

YouthBuild

 

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“Before joining YouthBuild, I attended Austin High School. I moved out on my own at 16, after a very troubled childhood and dropped out. I began working at a restaurant to support myself. After a while, I realized that I needed to return to school and enrolled at Garza, an alternative high school in Austin. Although the teachers and staff there were supportive, I struggled to stay on track academically and eventually stopped attending.

After a coupld of years of going back and forth between work and trying to finish school, I found American YouthWorks (AYW) and enrolled. I joined the Casa Verde Builders green construction program, earned my diploma, and received several certifications while gaining real-world experience. Most importantly, I found a community that believed in me and provided the encouragement I needed to succeed. For the first time, I felt seen, supported, and capable of building a better future.

After graduating from the program in 2009, I was a grad CVB member and then began working with AYW as an administrative assistant. I was in that role for almost a year before funing cuts led to layoffs, and I found myself unsure of what was next. During that time, I experienced homelessness and spent several years traveling the country by hitchhiking and riding freight trains. When I became pregnant, I decided to return to Texas to rebuild my life and raise my son.

Once I returned to Austin, I reconnected with AYW to see if there were opportunities to get back on track. I completed a WERC internship program, which provided job training and support, and before long, I was offered a temporary staff position that grew into a full-time role. Today, I’ve been a proud AYW staff member for nearly a decade.

YouthBuild truly changed the course of my life. It gave me the tools, confidence, and sense of belonging I needed when I had nowhere else to turn. Now, as someone who has grown within this organization and built a life I’m proud of, I’m committed to giving back and helping our members find their own success.

For me, YouthBuild will always be home — the place that believed in me before I belived in myself.”

 

YouthBuild Program

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What is your name and position at AYW?
How long have you been working with AYW?
As a Staff Member, what have you learned or what has been your experience at AYW?
What is a hobby or interest you’d like to share?
Anything else to share with our audience?

 

What is your name and position at AYW?

Courtney Reeves, CORE Service Coordinator

 

How long have you been working with AYW?

Feb 2026 will be my 10 year

 

As a Staff Member, what have you learned or what has been your experience at AYW?

I graduated from American YouthWorks in 2009, and AYW has been part of my life ever since. Over the past 10 years of working here, I’ve learned the true meaning of resilience, community, and support. My journey started as a homeless teenager searching for stability, and through AYW I found not only opportunity but also a family that believed in me. From Administrative Assistant, Recruitment and Outreach, to now serving as CORE Service Coordinator, I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing this organization can be — for me and for every young person who walks through our doors.
AYW changed my entire life by pointing me in the right direction, thanks to Miss Yvette, Miss Jessica, Mr Matt, and to Mister David, I am what I am today

 

What is a hobby or interest you’d like to share?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my kids. Who you will see often on campus! Traveling, spending time outdoors and reading.

 

Anything else to share with our audience?

AYW changed my life, and I’m proud to be part of giving that same opportunity to others. Every day, I see our members grow, succeed, and discover their own strength. It’s an honor to be a part of their journey, and I’m excited to see the impact AYW will continue to make for years to come.

 

Donate Today!

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What is your name and connection to AYW?
How long have you been working with AYW?
As a participant, what has been your experience at AYW?
What is a hobby or interest you’d like to share?
Anything else to share with our audience?

 

What is your name and connection to AYW?

David López, Former Student, Forever Grateful Alumni

 

How long have you been working with AYW?

4 years

 

As a participant, what has been your experience at AYW?

AYW completely transformed my life by guiding me onto the right path. Thanks to the support and wisdom of Miss Yvette, Miss Jessica, Mr. Matt, and Mr. David, I have become the person I am today.

 

What is a hobby or interest you’d like to share?

I like working with computers and helping others.

 

Anything else to share with our audience?

Because of the love, guidance, and values you instilled in me, I now have the honor of giving back as the founder of D.O.D. Radiología e Imágenes.

 

Donate Today!

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“Before coming to American YouthWorks, I felt lost. I missed a lot of school while helping my mom care for my siblings. Then my credits didn’t transfer after moving states and I was going to be held back. That’s when my aunt told me about YouthBuild. My family kept telling me about it and I realized this would be a good opportunity. I heard how flexible they were and I thought it would give me some guidance in life.

At YouthBuild, I felt supported and treated like an adult. The staff encouraged me to stay focused and I was proud to earn my GED earlier. Through the Health Corps program, I earned my Community Health Worker certification and recently completed an externship with Community Care.

During the externship, I shadowed different employees in various roles at Community Care, including Registered Nurses, CHWs, and physicians. It was inspiring to see how passionate they were about their work. I was impressed at how they collaborated across departments to meet patient needs. Even though team members often came from different departments, they all worked together to provide support for the patients.

Now, I’m looking for a job and planning to enroll in school to pursue a career in dentistry starting with becoming a dental hygienist. YouthBuild gave me the direction and confidence I needed to move forward.” – Honesty L

 

YouthBuild

 

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What is your name and position at AYW?
How long have you been working with AYW?
As a Staff Member, what have you learned or what has been your experience at AYW?
What is a hobby or interest you’d like to share?
Anything else to share with our audience?

 

What is your name and position at AYW?

Dionne K Labatad, Integrated Education and Training Instructor YouthBuild in Taylor

 

How long have you been working with AYW?

2 years

 

As a Staff Member, what have you learned or what has been your experience at AYW?

I learned this is a very supportive program for our Rural Community. There are many opportunities in our community for our youth and they just don’t know where to start. Having this YouthBuild program in Taylor is a great start for them. The youth in the community is learning about themselves and what they are able to achieve. They are learning the baby steps to take to accomplish their goals and most importantly the supporting system they have to get them through when the going gets rough. They are learning to overcome their fears and adapt to situations as they occur. They are building self-confidence and becoming indepent, and understanding they need to act upon what they want to achieve in life. Whether it being short-term or long-term goals, achieving their GED and Pathways Certification, being able to financialy budget and the importance of setting goals, they can do it. Understanding is clarifing what they don’t know. Becoming an adult is not about getting their GED and Pathways Certification, but where it will take them and how far they can go with it.
 

What is a hobby or interest you’d like to share?

My dream has always been being able to work with the youth and help them grow and become successful in life. I have done this kind of work voluntarily all my life. Now working at a place where I have a passion is endless. I love what I do and am happy that YouthBuild in Taylor took me under their wings to help our youth community fly high!

 

Anything else to share with our audience?

A dream is never “NOT WORTH DREAMING” it is worth making that Dream a Reality. The Reality is living your dream!

The YouthBuild program in Taylor had our very first Milestone Celebration — 10 Successful Graduates, CPR Certified, OSHA Certified, and MFG SME Associate Certification!

 

Donate Today!

 

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“After football ended, I just stopped going to school. Football was really the only reason I stayed interested, and once that was over, I didn’t see the point. I ended up getting court-ordered to attend a GED program for truancy and that’s how I found AYW.

Out of all the options the judge gave me, YouthBuild stood out the most. I’m glad I chose it.

At first, the hardest part of the program was just waiting, waiting on things to come together, waiting to feel like I was making progress. But the program helped me by giving me a new environment to learn in. It felt different. I got a lot more one-on-one support, and it actually helped me focus and get things done.

Before YouthBuild, I didn’t really have any goals. But through the program, I started setting them for myself. I earned my GED, my Manufacturing Certification, OSHA 10, and IC3 Level 1. Those are things I didn’t see myself doing before
I was in the IT/Manufacturing track and got to work on cool projects like the e-waste initiative, designing shirts for Shepherd’s Heart, and our program t-shirts. I even learned how to use a Cricut and heat press, and I got better with computers and math, like actual polynomials, which I didn’t think I’d ever understand.

Right now, I’m just chillin and thinking about my next steps. I’ve been meeting with college advisors and looking into different post-education options. YouthBuild helped me get my GED and other certifications, and now I’m figuring out what comes next.

Long term, I want to work on a pipeline crew or start my own demolition and land clearing business. I’ve got real goals now and YouthBuild helped make that possible.”

 

YouthBuild