Youthbuild, an innovative HUD-funded program designed to give at-risk young people ages 16-24 who have dropped out of school a second chance to succeed, continues to build on two successful years in our communities. The objectives of Youthbuild are to provide an education for students that will enable them to pass their GED, learn job, life and leadership skills and ultimately to find employment or move on to higher education. Classes are geared toward formal academics for two days a week, hands-on technical training at a construction site for two days a week, and an assortment of leadership programming including research papers, fundraising, community service and guest speakers on Fridays.

Youthbuild operates out of the CACST Youth Center, run by a dedicated staff including Omar Riojas, Director of Youth Initiatives, and Sylvia Elizondo, Program Coordinator. Other staff are Noraliza Sanchez, GED teacher/youth development spec. and Al Lopez, Construction Instructor.

At the July 2004 Board meeting, Youthbuild reported results for the first year. A total of 23 students graduated from Youthbuild in Rio Grande City and the satellite program in Hebbronville with their GEDs or high school diplomas. In the first 7-month program cycle, only 7 of 30 students remained in the class. However, the second cycle yielded four times that number with retention of 33 out of 41 students. This program faced challenges such as students dropping out for a variety of reasons including work, learning disabilities, drugs, or lack of staff in some communities. Now one third of these graduates are in college, another third are working, and one sixth of the graduates are attending college in addition to having a job.

CACST Youthbuild, the only rural multi-site program in the nation, will move its satellite office to Zapata County this fall. Laredo Comunity College has partnered with us to facilitate the academic portion of the program. Currently, Youthbuild also partners with Gulf Coast Trade Center, Podemos, a CACST drug abuse prevention program, South Texas College, Children of the Sun (charter school) and with McCoy's Lumber whose generous donation of $6,000 in building materials has enabled Youthbuild to perform vital work on the homes of impoverished local families.

Coming into existence thanks to a competitive grant from the Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone, is the Rio Youth-Plex Pavilion, located near the intersection of Canales Bros. (3rd Street) and Fairgrounds Road in Rio Grande City, TX. The 11,000 sq.ft. complex includes a main building with areas designated for the arts, gaming, and computers as well as an outdoor sports court designed for regulation basketball or volleyball competition. The vision behind this project is a center that will foster future community leaders through development and involvement of area youth, focusing on their needs, interests and critical issues.

Academics, sports, and games such as tutoring, computer access, weight training, pool, foosball, and career exploration will be around the corner for youth in town. Drama, music, and visual art programs with an emphasis on local culture along with wellness resources on substance abuse awareness, peer pressure, teen pregnancy prevention and child abuse are also part of the plan for the Youth-Plex. The Pavilion will be accessible during the school year primarily in the early afternoon, and all day during the summer. Partners and other programs will schedule evenings in the Youth-Plex. Staffing at the pavilion will be on a volunteer basis.