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Smith is one of 14 Toledo youth who sought assistance with
employment skills training in the construction industry
completed their requirements and graduated from the
YouthBuild program on January 24. In fact, Smith was so
inspired by his accomplishments in the program that he has
applied to college and hopes to be enrolled by the fall.
Tobias Abernathy, Jasmine Crutchfield, Jayvon Emanuel,
Chelsie Garrett, Danny Gray, Jessica Hines, Justin Jeko,
David Mosher, Jerome Ramsey, Jimmie Ridley, Janiceann
Rowlett, Smith, Chauncey Wilburn, and Jovon Williams
received their certificates of completion together with
several other certifications. Of the 14, seven earned their
GEDs while the others are still working on achieving that
milestone.
“The culture of the YouthBuild program is more a family
environment than one of a workplace,” said Jeffrey Bradish
of First Merit Bank. “These adults are amazing. They have
shown that they are taking steps to have a bright future. I
have seen their growth.”
First Merit Banks is one of the partners of the YouthBuild
program.
The youth participants spent their time in the program
learning about carpentry, plumbing, painting, facilities
maintenance, and some masonry. They also participated in
several community service projects as means of understanding
how giving to the community enhances their individual
growing process.
In addition to their certificate of completion, five special
awards were presented. The Construction Award went to Danny
Gray, Tim Smith received the Leadership Award while David
Mosher earned the Most Improved Award and Jimmie Ridley
earned the Community Service Award. The Education Award was
presented to each of the seven participants who earned their
GEDs. A special staff award was presented to Justin Jeko for
his effort to overcome all the obstacles he hurdled as he
worked his way through to completion of the program.
“This program was a life-changing experience for me,”
Chelsie Garrett said. “I learned that you just have to have
the determination to keep at it, and I did not have that
before.”
Garrett’s mother, Elaine Garrett, and sister, Charise McGee,
both said they were incredibly proud of Chelsie’s
accomplishments and her desire to change her life.
“She has come a long way,” Elaine Garrett said. “I am so
extremely proud of her.”
Participants also received certificates in CPR/First Aid
training, completed the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) 10-hour course, and a leadership
certificate in the Six Pillars of Character leadership.
YouthBuild, a federally funded program, is operated in
partnership with United North, Big Brothers/Big Sisters,
Northwest Ohio Construction Education Center, and 10 other
local organizations.
Currently, a second class is in session. For more information on
how to join a class, call John Page, Program Specialist at
419.243.8840.
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