It would have been a special day for any teenager in America, but for 28 teens and young men and women in San Diego, it was a special day many of them never expected to see. On Friday, January 18, 2002, ten students received their high school diplomas, another five received their GED, five more were moving on to pursue a degree from a college or technical school, and all had learned job-ready construction skills. These proud students were the first graduating class of the San Diego Black Contractors Association's Youthbuild program

HUD's Youthbuild program enables high-risk youth - very low-income high school dropouts between the ages of 16 and 24 - to learn housing construction job skills while they complete their high school education. It is not a program for those who lack motivation. But for those who have decided to change their path in life, it offers counseling, support services, and the opportunity to learn practical skills while they are trained to build or rehabilitate affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons. Youthbuild provides educational and job training services, leadership training, and on-site experience in housing rehabilitation or construction work (which accounts for at least half of each participant's time).

The San Diego Black Contractors Association (BCA) received a $700,000 HUD Youthbuild grant in FY 2000 to develop a program that would help high-risk youth get on a path to success. BCA - in partnership with the San Diego County School of Education, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, the City of San Diego and a host of community groups - created a practical but challenging program. Young men and women - many of whom had never driven a screw or held a power tool in their lives - had a fresh chance to become proud, productive citizens with a real stake in their future. On graduation day, Black Contractors Executive Director Abdur-Rahim Hameed congratulated the graduates as Youthbuild Director Melody Ibarra led the cheers.

Tracy Thompson of the County Office of Education spoke of the importance of the high school diplomas he gave to the new high school graduates in the Youthbuild class. San Diego Office Coordinator Charles Wilson and national and local government dignitaries joined the BCA and the 28 students to congratulate them on their achievements, and encourage them to take the next steps: good entry level jobs in the construction field along with more skills training, or continuing on into higher education. The graduates showed their appreciation and a number of the graduates spoke at the ceremony - they thanked the staff for their support, but especially for the confidence they had shown in them.