SEEDS
of Hope
Agency Newsletter | Winter 2024
Graduates Step into a Bright Future The young adults who walked the Sari Feldman Auditorium stage in Parma are the picture of resiliency, as they celebrated the determination and perseverance that brought them to and through OhioGuidestone’s Workforce 360° YouthBuild Program. They are part of YouthBuild’s graduating class of 2023. 12 are construction cohort graduates—all of them earning their OSHA 10 and NCCER (National Center of Construction Education and Research) certification, five graduates earned their CNA credential, and two earned their STNA certification through a partnership with Tri-C. What makes these accomplishments so impressive is that YouthBuild slots are limited and have rigorous requirements just to get in. Program Manager Jennifer Underwood said just being accepted into the YouthBuild program means
an individual has already achieved tremendous growth, as each candidate goes through a 2-week bootcamp called Mental Toughness, competing with other individuals for placement in the program. She said, “They are required to do daily workouts, practice conflict management, refresh their academic abilities, gain team skills, and interview with a room full of staff.” She added “they also need to learn a pledge of accountability to themselves and others.” Not only did the 2023 class complete Mental Toughness, followed by 6 months of training to earn industry recognized credentials, ten of the graduates put in extra hours outside of their classes to earn their high school diploma. The ceremony itself was emotional as the attendees cheered not just for their own loved ones, but for all of the graduates in cap and gown crossing continued on page 2