Jubilee Occupational Outreach Program

Jubilee Occupational Outreach Program is one of many Success Stories that have been locally nominated for recognition in celebration of CDBG's 30th Anniversary.

Success Story Details

Success Story Description

CDBG funds were provided to assist Jubilee Family Development Center with the acquisition of the property at 1516 Florida Avenue. The building was acquired in July 2003. Renovations began in October 2003. The final stages of renovations are being completed and the Occupational Outreach Building should be completed in May 2004. In the interim, the Outreach Programs have been conducted in the main facility of the Jubilee Family Development Center.

Since the Outreach Programs began the Center has seen tremendous results and success. Student's self-esteem has been increased because of accomplishments they have made in the program. Students that once sold drugs are now working a real full-time job. Students that had dropped out of school have earned their GED and are enrolled in college. Youth in the community are exposed at an early age to careers that they can pursue that are in high demand in the area and do not require a four-year college degree. The goal is to break the cycles of poverty. The Programs are providing youth and young adults in the community with the resources and tools to be prepared and seek better employment.

During the "Make A Difference Day" on October 25, 2003 we had 135 volunteers and almost one third came from the neighborhood. The low and moderate income neighbors took ownership of the project. The neighbors knew how the old site as a Laundromat and storage building had been a hang out spot for drug dealers and the community was excited to see it transformed. The Jubilee Development Center was selected as one of the national winners of the "Make A Difference Day". They were one of ten national winners and were featured on the cover of the April 16-18, 2004 USA Weekend and also received $10,000 from Paul Newman.

Listed below are some of the specific accomplishments that have been realized as a result of the Outreach Programs.

• Eleven of the young men in the Programs have been employed full time. Some of the places of employment include: Holiday Inn Select, Flowers Bakery, Gerdy Construction, Warner Construction, Food Lion, and Burger King.
• Four young men have passed their GED
• One young man (in school) recently won a Forensic competition.
• One of the in school youth received a scholarship to Lynchburg College
• Seventeen of the 22 in school youth have consistently stayed on honor-roll.
• In School Student received $14,000 Scholarship to Virginia Episcopal School.
• Twenty students are currently working part-time
• Seven students are enrolled in college and two students are enrolled in a local vocational school (Old Dominion Job Corp Center).

For more information regarding Jubilee Family Development Center and the Outreach Programs please visit the Center's website (http://www.jubileefamily.org).