Published: July 08, 2009 11:42 pm      

Program for at-risk youths wins aid

After two successful years, the YouthBuild Johnstown program is expanding with the goal of helping more at-risk youth turn their lives around.

Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley Inc. announced Wednesday it was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor in the amount of $503,479 for the first year of a three-year period to continue the program in Cambria and parts of Somerset counties.

An additional $288,000 is expected during the second and third years through June 2012.

The program provides 11 months of education and hands-on experience in the construction industry for young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who have dropped out of high school, do not have a GED or meet other criteria.

While in the program, participants spend half of their time learning construction skills in the classroom and on a job site. Those without a high school diploma work toward a GED.

Participants also go through leadership development training.

To date, 25 individuals have benefitted from the program. This new grant will allow Goodwill to recruit and serve an additional 44 people.

“This grant will allow us to continue to help people turn their lives around and move forward and be contributing members of society,” said Phyllis Bandstra, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley Inc. “Now we can continue with the work we’ve begun and expand into Windber and Conemaugh Township in Somerset County and then hopefully go further.”

Goodwill partners with 12 additional local community organizations to ensure YouthBuild’s success.

“It’s through that guidance and support that we are able to continue with this program,” said Mindy Rickabaugh, YouthBuild Johnstown manager.

Patrick Kishlock of Johns-town graduated from the program in February. He said after dropping out of school and a having a brush with the law, he knew he needed to do something positive with his life.

“I knew that if I wanted a good job, I needed to go to class even on days when I didn’t want to go,” he said.

“I liked helping others who were coming to me for guidance when they were having a hard time.”

He did so well in the program that he often was a project foreman, and he received numerous awards and certificates for his dedication.

Kishlock, who recently landed a job with a construction company, is hoping to attend college and study engineering.

For more information on the YouthBuild program, call Goodwill at 536-3536, ext. 291.