YouthBuild Global

05/28/2026

💡 "This experience helped me reflect more deeply on how my own lived experience connects to the work we do across the YouthBuild movement. It reinforced my belief that opportunity youth carry the resilience, insight, and leadership needed to help transform their communities." — Frank Alvarez, YouthBuild Leadership Fellow

Frank was one of the 17 YouthBuild directors who recently completed the 2024–2026 YouthBuild Leadership Fellowship, an initiative that brings together leaders from programs across the United States and around the world.

Through in-person gatherings and virtual sessions, fellows focus on Leadership and Professional Development, Self-Care, and Peer Support and Community Building.

👏 Thank you, fellows, for your dedication to personal growth, the future of the YouthBuild network, and opportunity youth!

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05/27/2026

💙 "A lot of times they just need a second chance, somebody they can trust, maybe somebody to wrap their arms around them."

DeAndra Adams, Program Manager at Louisville, knows this truth deeply—because she's lived it. DeAndra is also an alumna of the program, graduating in 2004.

"When I came into the program, I didn't have a high school diploma or GED. I was living in the projects. I had two children," DeAndra shared. "They wrapped their arms around me and continue to wrap their arms around me years later."

Now, DeAndra champions young people to reclaim their education and build pathways to careers in construction, nursing, and culinary arts, while offering that same supportive environment she encountered years ago.

Since 2001, Louisville (Blueprint 502) has graduated nearly 800 young adults—each one proof that when we believe in young people and give them a chance, incredible things happen.

🎓 Congratulations, graduates! Your futures are so bright ☀️

Since 2001, YouthBuild Louisville reports it has graduated nearly 800 young adults.

05/26/2026

🌟 Big News! 🌟 We’re thrilled to announce that our fourth in-store fundraising campaign with Burlington has collected more than $1.6 million to benefit Global and the ! Together, over the past four campaigns, we’ve raised more than $5.7 million for YouthBuild!

This partnership is part of Burlington’s ongoing commitment to adding value to communities. With these funds, we will strengthen our network of programs and provide even more opportunities for young people to reclaim their education, gain job skills and credentials, and become leaders in their communities. Massive thanks to Burlington, and its generous customers and associates, for joining hands with young people as they transform their lives and communities.

💪 Let’s keep ! Burlington

National discount retailer’s annual community giving helps strengthen programming in local YouthBuild programs across the country

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

This spring, Global proudly celebrated the completion of the inaugural 2024–2026 YouthBuild Leadership Fellows cohort, a group of 17 leaders from YouthBuild programs across the United States and around the world who have spent the past two years strengthening their leadership, deepening collaboration, and advancing YouthBuild’s mission.

We recently spoke with Shevone Myrick, YouthBuild Leadership Fellow and Director of YouthBuild Housing Authority of Champaign County (in Champaign, IL), about her experience in the fellowship, what leadership looks like on the ground, and the moments that bring her joy.

Thank you, Shevone, for sharing your story, and for being such a strong YouthBuild leader for the !

This spring, YouthBuild Global proudly celebrated the completion of the inaugural 2024–2026 YouthBuild Leadership Fellows cohort, a group of 17 leaders from YouthBuild programs across the United States and around the world who have spent the past two years strengthening their leadership, deepening...

05/19/2026

Congratulations, graduates! 🎓

05/18/2026

🏆 At this year's YouthBuild Directors Association meeting in Washington, D.C., seven program leaders received 2026 Directors Awards before a crowd of nearly 150 of their peers.

These awards celebrate leaders across the who demonstrate clear impact at their local program, support their students in achieving their goals and ambitions, and provide leadership for the entire YouthBuild network.

🔗 Click the link below to learn about the directors championing young people to reconnect to education, earn skills and credentials, and step into lifelong leadership. Congratulations to all of this year's honorees! 👏



Photography by Libby Greene

Seven YouthBuild program leaders recognized for their passion and dedication to the young people they serve.

05/14/2026

Let's go, Job Point's YouthBuild!

YouthBuild participants from across Missouri gathered at the Capitol to demonstrate skills, share journeys and highlight workforce solutions. See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by Job Point

05/14/2026

Congratulations, Portland YouthBuilders! 🎓

Yesterday, we held our Bridge to Construction graduation! Family, friends, staff, and PYB community members gathered at our southeast campus to celebrate our graduates and everything they’ve accomplished during their time at PYB. To our new alumni - we are so proud of you and can’t wait to support you in your next steps. Congratulations!

05/13/2026

Tonight’s Awards will celebrate bipartisan leaders who believe in AmeriCorps and its impact nationwide. Advocating for ensures AmeriCorps programs can continue championing young people as they reclaim their education, gain job skills and credentials, and become leaders. Thank you for standing for service! Voices for National Service