News Article " Young Alaskans building new homes" [Article ID: 35]
Category: Local>Events
Date Posted: 1/20/2006
JUNEAU – Young Alaskans Building Affordable Housing (YABAH) just completed their third house at Kanata Deyi. YABAH, a THRHA partnership with SAGA offers a construction training program for at-risk teens that provides them with technical training and the opportunity to complete their GED. For more information about YABAH go to www.servealaska.org.
YABAH is a job training and education program for Alaskans ages 18-24 and partners with Youthbuild, a national program that uses construction and GED education as a means to improve our community. YABAH began operating in Fairbanks in 1996, moved to Sitka for several years, and currently is based in Juneau.
Vocational Training : Hands-on training in all phases of residential construction. As part of your YABAH term you and your crew will build a house from the ground up. This including training on safety standards and building codes. YABAH partners with Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority to construct an energy efficient home for a low-income family each program year.
Academic Education: Assistance in preparing for the GED and/or other educational goals. YABAH partners with the Southeast Regional Center (SERRC) and with the Southeast Alaska Native Vocational Training and Educational Support Services Initiative (ANTESSI) programs for educational services.
Career Counseling: The YABAH staff want you to gain the skills necessary to obtain and hold steady employment. YABAH also provides guidance on identifying career skills and interests and starting a career path. This includes job search skills, resume writing, and more.
Life Skills: As a member of the SAGA family of programs, YABAH corpsmembers participate in an orientation retreat that involves high and low ropes course activities and other life skill development sessions designed to help them increase your communication and decision making skills. Throughout the term of service they will learn and practice additional interpersonal skills such as conflict resolution and problem solving as well as basic life management skills such as how to open and work with a bank account, and how to plan and prepare meals on a budget.
Post-program support: Graduating from the YABAH program will leave you well-prepared for further training and education. SAGA staff will help them prepare for your life after YABAH, and will help them make decisions about how to best utilize their skills and talents post-graduation.
