Maine's Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) recently got a boost when HUD Bangor Field Office Director William Burney visited a training site to deliver $400,000 in funding. CEI will use the funding to continue and expand its YouthBuild program over the next 30 months.

From left to right: Peter Rogers, Senator Collins' Office; Howard Dupee, CEI; Diane Jackson, Senator Snowe's Office; Andrea Quaid, Congressman Michaud's Office; HUD's William Burney; Sandra Goss YouthBuild Program Director and Norman Rousseau, Lewiston City Council.

The YouthBuild program is a unique program that provides job training and education while assisting with the production of affordable housing. Participants, who are aged 16-24 and out of school, build or renovate housing for low-income families while earning GEDs and developing their own personal potential. Students spend half their week with teachers working on their GED and the other half at job sites getting hands-on experience.

YouthBuild students show off their good work.

These days the current YouthBuild class is spending time at 43 Spring Street in Lewiston, Maine making major renovations to a run-down house. When completed, the house will be sold or leased to a low-income family.

Christy shares her YouthBuild expectations and dream.

YouthBuild student Christy, who lived on the street until her enrollment in the program four months ago, is proud of what she's accomplished in such a short period of time. "I've insulated buildings, painted houses, and installed windows. I've done a lot I didn't expect to do."

Visit HUD's website to learn more about the YouthBuild program.