In the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, an Opportunity Center which will be at the heart of future success stories was recently dedicated. The Center will feature job assistance, micro-enterprise assistance for potential entrepreneurs, and programs for first-time homebuyers. It will support Youthbuild program graduates as well as tenants in property owned by YEHS (Youth Education and Health in Soulard, Inc.) and other low- and moderate-income residents of the neighborhood. YEHS, a community based not-for-profit organization founded in 1972, has received several HUD Youthbuild grants.

YouthBuild is targeted to high school dropouts and other at- risk youth. The program is challenging, and requires participants to spend four hours each school day preparing for the GED examination and four hours in vocational education. After mastering vocational education basics - how to measure and how to hammer - students work and learn on- the- job under the supervision of skilled craftsmen. The program also helps students get their lives in order by providing critical services, including substance abuse counseling, clearing outstanding warrants, finding day care, and securing transportation and housing. The program lasts from six to eighteen months. Following graduation, students have an opportunity to work in the construction trades.

In October, two students entered the St. Louis Carpenters' Joint Apprenticeship Union; earlier in the year; seven trainees took construction trade jobs; seven others took other jobs in the workforce, and two started to pursue higher education. Students are encouraged to maintain contact with the program after graduation and to ask for help if problems arise. Staff from HUD's St. Louis Area Office who work with YEHS and other community groups were pleased to be invited to participate in the dedication ceremony - to see the positive results their good work helped produce.