YouthBuild of South Central Illinois

A huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to the Jefferson County HCE! 🌟

Your generous snack donation is fueling our YouthBuild students and making a massive difference in the classroom. It is hard for our young adults to focus on their GED studies and vocational training when they are hungry. Your kindness keeps their energy up and their minds sharp! Thank you for continuing to support the future of our Mt. Vernon youth. We appreciate you! ❤️🛠️

🚨 Lifesavers in the making! 🚨

Yesterday, our amazing YouthBuild students spent their day learning crucial, life-saving skills. We are so proud to announce that every single one of them successfully completed their CPR and First Aid class and are now officially certified to save a life! ❤️🩹💪From learning how to respond in emergencies to mastering hands-on techniques, our students stepped up in a big way. These are lifelong skills that give them the confidence to act when it matters most. Whether on the job site or in the community, we now have a group of young leaders ready to make a difference. Join us in congratulating our crew on this fantastic achievement! 🎉👏

🛠️❤️Our YouthBuild class is at it again and doing incredible things for our community!

Our hardworking students are currently building mini-pantries that will be placed throughout the local area to provide shelf-stable food items for neighbors in need. By combining hands-on construction skills with community service, they are making a real, tangible impact. Even bigger news: several of our students have officially completed their NCCER certification!

🎓🏆 They are hitting their goals, working incredibly hard every single day, and building brighter futures for themselves while lifting up our community. We could not be prouder of their dedication and growth!

We’re proud to be part of the and grateful for partners like Burlington who continue investing in brighter futures for young people. 💙

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make this impact possible!

Burlington Stores Raises More Than $1.6 Million for YouthBuild Global in Fourth Year of Partnership National discount retailer’s annual community giving helps strengthen programming in local YouthBuild programs across the country

"Congratulations, Rayden! Fresh off your YouthBuild graduation and now stepping straight into welding at the Crisp Center—you are on fire! I am incredibly proud of your hard work, dedication, and growth. You have a truly great future ahead of you. Good luck in trade school, man. Keep building, keep grinding, and make those sparks fly! 🛠️🔥"

Shouting Out Our Hard-Working Crew! 🌳💪
Our incredible YouthBuild students volunteered their time at Spero’s Bright Start Daycare to mulch the playground and make it safe for the children.
This powerhouse crew worked incredibly hard and got the entire job finished so quickly!
We are so proud of their teamwork and dedication to helping our community. Thank you all for your hard work—you rock!

🔨 Building skills, one stool at a time! 🔨
Check out our YouthBuild students in action! Today, the shop was buzzing as they took on a new challenge: crafting custom footstools from scratch.
It might look like a simple project, but there is so much more to it than meets the eye. Our students are mastering the essentials:
📏 Measuring twice to ensure a perfect fit.
🪚 Cutting with precision and safety.
⚙️ Drilling & Assembly to create something sturdy and lasting.
Learning a new trade isn't just about the physical tools—it’s about building confidence, problem-solving, and the pride that comes from saying, "I made this." These are skills that will stay with them for a lifetime!
Way to go, team! We can't wait to see what you build next.

So proud of you, Kaylee! Congrats on your upcoming CNA pinning! You’ve been absolutely crushing it lately—keep up that amazing momentum! 🩺✨It’s been so inspiring to see everything you’ve achieved since leaving YouthBuild. That is such a huge milestone for you, Kaylee! It’s clear that you have really hit your stride since your time at YouthBuild. This is just the beginning for you!

Sherrod, huge congratulations on earning your GED! Your hard work and willingness to help others haven't gone unnoticed. You’re a true inspiration, and I have no doubt that your drive will take you exactly where you want to go. Wishing you the absolute best of luck as you start this next chapter—you’ve earned it!

Huge congratulations on your GED, Ella! This is so much more than a piece of paper—it’s proof that you have the heart and the hustle to achieve anything you set your mind to. Your future just got so much brighter, and I can’t wait to see which of those newly opened doors you decide to walk through first. The world is yours!