Thanks to a $700,000 HUD grant, the Youthbuild Program of the Black Contractors Association of San Diego celebrated the completion of their first home with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 26.

The San Diego association -- which includes among its partners the county school system, the City of San Diego, and the San Diego Workforce Partnership -- recruits and trains youth in independent living skills and a trade, and helps them earn either a high school diploma or GED.

Of the 28 youths who finished the program in January, five have gone on to earn their high school diplomas while another seven have earned their GEDs. In addition, five youths who already had their diplomas have moved into the Association's apprenticeship program. Moreover, six others who graduated have enrolled in college, and another six are completing high school through a county program.

And as impressive as these results are, many people say that the 13 youths participating in the second Youthbuild cycle, which will end in December, will be achieve even more impressive results.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Abdur-Rahim Hameed, president and founder of the Association, congratulated the youths who worked on the project and thanked the funders, particularly HUD for its grant.

Another speaker at the ceremony told the gathering that youths who worked on the house were not only building homes but were also building their futures. The celebration concluded with several youths speaking about how the program has changed their lives, given them direction and hope for the future.

Some of the youth workers, along with Abdur-Rahim Hameed, took pride in thefinished product, a new homeownership opportunity developed in an older San Diego neighborhood.	One of the young female participants said that the support of the Youthbuild staff helped rebuild her self-esteem and gave her and others a new start.
San Diego Councilman Ralph Inzunza cut the ribbon, amid the colorful flowersand smiles that marked the occasion.