The Mirabeau Neighborhood Network Learning Center of New Orleans recently celebrated the graduation of another class from its Youth Build Program. The program has been providing young adults age 16 to 24 years with valuable job training and technical expertise in the housing construction industry.

In addition, program participants have been able to prepare for and pass their GED examinations, resulting in careers in and around New Orleans, which has a large stock of aging but significantly historical residential areas and commercial buildings.

The Center's Youth Build Program has been a shining example of HUD's desire to successfully reach, better educate and train youth living in and around its multifamily properties. Through Youth Build, the participants who graduate turn local building opportunities into meaningful jobs and small businesses in the building and construction trades.

"Our students have a new look at life," says Dipo Mosadomi, the Neighborhood Network Center Director. Prior to the Youth Build Program, Mosadomi says the students had no interest in school, but now enjoy coming to school to learn and be trained. The staff has created a family-like atmosphere at the Center, beginning with the enrollment of each new class. For example, during the first two weeks students are fed hot meals. This and other nurturing builds trust, self-esteem and confidence.

Center officials hope to one day establish a construction business employing former students. The business would acquire houses from the city's blight property list, rehabilitate the properties, sell them, and then reinvest the profits back into the Youth Build Program.

Front row, left to right: Brandie Robertson; Devall Atkins; and Candie Robertson. Back row, left to right: Ronald Hodges; Demetrius Moran; Dipo Mosadomi, program director; Thomas Ledet; and Kevin Griffin.