The centers will serve at-risk youth (ages 16--28) by providing them with vocational training in construction and leadership skills for the future. The grant will also be used to provide a two-to-one match of trainees' savings contributions, support leadership training for the Build Back Better Youth Corps. The program also provides six months of follow-up support as trainees seek viable employment opportunities or pursue self-employment.
The first training center, JENKA, was built in Leogane, the epicenter of the earthquake where nearly 90 percent of the buildings were destroyed. This first of 12 centers is where the project's local implementing partner IDEJEN (Haitian Out of School Livelyhood Initiative) is now recruiting staff and students.
Clinton Bush Haiti Fund money enabled YouthBuild to get construction underway quickly while other projects in Haiti have stalled due to funding delays.
Visit www.ClintonBushHaitiFund.org to get involved.