Making a Difference in the Delta

If you live in one of the Delta parishes in northeast Louisiana, you may have a great view of the mighty Mississippi River as it meanders past lush fields of soybeans, corn, and rice on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. In the fall, you are surrounded by vast fields of cotton ready to be harvested and see numerous flocks of migratory waterfowl that make the cypress-studded bayous and lakes in the area their winter home.

Unfortunately, there is also a one in three chance that you will grow up in poverty and a 38% chance that you will not complete high school. This region is one of the poorest areas in the nation with an average median household income of less than $22,000.

These are just a few of the reasons Patrick Murphy, Campus Dean at Louisiana Technical College (LTC) in Tallulah, decided to establish a HUD YouthBuild program in the Delta. YouthBuild provides grants to assist high-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 24 learn housing construction job skills and to complete their high school education. Program participants enhance their skills as they construct and rehabilitate affordable housing for low-to-moderate income persons.

Since the YouthBuild program began at LTC - Tallulah in 1996, 200 students have participated in the program that boasts a 75% success rate. Thanks to LTC and YouthBuild, students such as 21-year-old David Quinn of Tallulah have been given a second chance at obtaining an education and learning a trade. David, a high school dropout with an uncertain future, developed a strong desire to get his GED and learn construction skills. "I started looking at myself as more of a leader than a follower," said Quinn. "I started taking charge of my life and what I had to do to take advantage of the learning opportunities offered in YouthBuild."

After enrolling in the YouthBuild program, David wanted to learn to become a professional house painter. Since he loved to draw, he thought learning to paint would allow him to express himself and at the same time, earn a good income. Quinn completed the YouthBuild program in November of 2003 and is currently employed as a painter with Foster Construction.

There are many other success stories like this one. The YouthBuild program and Louisiana Technical College in Tallulah are enhancing the lives of the underprivileged youth in northeast Louisiana and giving them a chance to escape a life of poverty. At the same time, they are providing skilled employees for business and industry that contribute to the overall economic development of the area. YouthBuild (http://www.youthbuild.org/) and LTC-Tallulah (http://www.theltc.net/tallulah/), making a difference in the Delta!