Building Futures

Brunch and Blessing Bags

Posted on May 27, 2021 by lewisandclarkcc

By Alexandra Blockton, ablockton@lc.edu

In September 2021, I began planning community service projects for the Building Futures YouthBuild/AmeriCorps program. I was able to start a professional relationship with Ms. Natascha Harried, who is the Social Service Manager at The Salvation Army – Alton Corps. Since that time, our program has taken part in several community service projects with this organization.

AmeriCorps members have served by restocking and organizing the food pantry as well as stocking the van with food and delivering bags of groceries to individuals within our community who are unable to come to the food pantry in-person. These individuals may be disabled, elderly, and/or unable to come in-person for other reasons.

“Volunteering and community service adds another dimension to education. It helps young people see their value in the world as they use their knowledge, experience and time to give back to their community in a meaningful way. As the students from the YouthBuild AmeriCorps program volunteer in our food pantry, stocking shelves and delivering food boxes, I make sure they realize they are helping to feed many families healthy, nutritious meals.”
-Ms. Natascha Harried

The most recent service project I took the lead in consisted of preparing and cooking a warm meal at the Salvation Army, servicing the homeless individuals within our community. The event was sponsored by our Lewis and Clark Community College YouthBuild AmeriCorps program.

I was excited about leading this service project, which took place on Friday, May 21, 2021. All individuals from our community were welcome to attend. Many people who were less fortunate were encouraged to come in-person to be able to receive a blessing bag and a warm meal. The blessing bags were stocked with hygiene items and face masks to protect from COVID-19, as well as other essential items and a warm meal.

I would like to thank the Alton Telegraph and our Lewis and Clark Media Services department for coming out to take photos while this service project was taken place.

One of my favorite service projects I coordinated with the Salvation Army was during the COVID-19 shutdown. The Salvation Army had a warming shelter for the many people left out in the freezing weather who did not have a home and were seeking a place to stay warm in the wintertime. During that time, our YouthBuild program was able to service the Salvation Army by cooking and serving a warm meal to those individuals at the warming shelter seeking services. The menu consisted of juice, water, vegetable soup and fruit. Besides receiving a warm meal, they were also able to receive blankets, socks, coats, face masks, hand sanitizer, etc., which the Salvation Army supplied to be able to protect themselves from COVID-19.

The smiles on the individuals’ faces were heartwarming! It really amazed me because many times people can be in hardships and struggling while feeling as if no one cares about them. Especially with the COVID-19 shutdown orders, many people were left in terrible situations. For example, many individuals lost their jobs and were evicted from their homes due to not having any steady income to be able to pay their bills.

Being of service to the homeless within our community has given our YouthBuild AmeriCorps members the opportunity to aid in real life poverty issues. They have been able to learn about the reality of homelessness and how it affects our community as well as how a food pantry runs, along with utilizing Blueprint for Service Learning (a partnership between YouthBuild USA AmeriCorps and Mockingbird Education). The Blueprint for Service Learning is a guide I use lessons from to present service learning as a teaching strategy within our program.

Service Project: Community Clean-up Near Scott Bibb Center

Posted on April 30, 2021 by lewisandclarkcc

By Alexandra Blockton, ablockton@lc.edu

About two weeks ago, our Building Futures YouthBuild AmeriCorps Program participated in a service project our prior cohort had planned when we were out for COVID-19. It was great to see a new incoming cohort take on a community service project that the prior cohort had created.

Initially, when planning out our program’s service projects, I think it’s great to have the feedback of our students due to the fact they will also be participating in the service project. Our latest project was a Community Clean-up Service Project where we all helped one another pick up trash. While doing so, we were able to discuss with one another the importance of keeping our environment clean. I noticed individuals from our local community coming out of their homes and walking up to AmeriCorps Members thanking them for their service. It made the students feel happy to be a part of the community clean-up service project.

I understand many young adults nowadays wouldn’t choose to just go out freely in their local neighborhoods and pick up trash. When you can take something like picking up trash to keep our community clean and plan it out, all while discussing the students’ ideas and getting their input, it’s a fun and creative process.

“Millions of young adults are too often defined only by their struggles with unemployment, poverty, and crime. Traditionally known as ‘disenfranchised,’ ‘marginalized,’ ‘disconnected,’ and ‘at risk,’ these young people are typically defined solely by their challenges, not by their potential. They urgently need and aspire to earn-knowledge, training, and opportunities that lead to long-term professional and personal success.”
– youthbuild.org

Our Building Futures YouthBuild AmeriCorps program makes it a priority in serving our community for a good outcome. That is one of the things I like about being a part of YouthBuild AmeriCorps: we are here to make a difference while working as a team to get things done.

Our Community Service Projects are based upon the following information from “Blueprint for Service Learning,” a partnership between YouthBuild USA, AmeriCorps, and Mockingbird Education:

Law of Equal Importance states projects should give as much focus to learning as it does service. The planning, execution, and reflection focuses on learning as the community service.
Law of Integration Depth requires the project to integrate objectives from multiple subject areas and includes soft skill objectives such as socio-emotional, leadership, employability, and workforce development.
Law of Primary and Secondary Content states that learning objectives need to be clearly identified and prioritized as primary and secondary.
Law of Experiential Learning: Project activities are active, hands on activities that include reflection activities. Reflection activities create opportunities for members to reflect on their activities and the act of service.
Law of Meaningful Reflection: Project activities provide reflection throughout the project (the IPARD process). Members reflect on service, learning, and the connection between the service and the learning.
Law of Content Depth: Project focuses on academic content and doesn’t only focus on socio-emotional and soft skill needs. Projects include secondary objectives.

Community service projects are created to solve the issues within our community. By making a difference and continuing to utilize these learning skills, YouthBuild AmeriCorps members engage in the service activity and obtain knowledge on exactly why our program completes community service projects within our community.

New Year, New Building Futures Podcast Team

Posted on March 26, 2021 by lewisandclarkcc

For more than a year, the Building Futures YouthBuild podcast has strived to connect with listeners and spread the knowledge that the YouthBuild program at Lewis and Clark Community College has to offer. Hosts for the podcast, Zach Cable and Parker Grassle, have touched on a diverse range of topics during their time as the voices of the podcast.

They’ve introduced us to multiple YouthBuild students and staff members, as well as giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what happens at our local YouthBuild program. We got to hear about Scott Bibb, the man who the Lewis and Clark Scott Bibb Center was named after, and how he fought for desegregation in Alton schools. They also discussed current events going on in our world, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and how that has affected the way we’ve had to live our lives in the “new normal”. Perhaps most important of all, they’ve provided listeners with information about the resources and support they can receive in the YouthBuild program and encouraged people to seek out the opportunities the program is able to provide.

In 2020, season 1 of the podcast ended, as did Zach and Parker’s time as hosts for the podcast. They finished up their final episode and passed the torch onto a YouthBuild member from a recent cohort, Jarrius Burton.

After going through the YouthBuild program at Lewis and Clark Community College, Jarrius became a student ambassador for the Adult Education department. This student ambassador role comes with multiple responsibilities and opportunities, one of which was becoming the new host for the Building Futures podcast.

Adult Education Student Ambassador Jarrius Burton

Jarrius is very excited about becoming the new podcast host and had this to say:

“I love hosting podcasts and can’t wait to interview amazing individuals. Making podcasts is a great way to learn about things that you wouldn’t normally learn on your own.”
Jarrius Burton

The podcast team also includes adult education teacher Kelly Meyer, who had this to say about the Building Futures podcast:

“My role with the Building Futures Podcast involves coordinating all the moving parts so we can successfully record and release content. I help juggle scheduling and communication with our producer, hosts, guests and ambassador team to make sure our schedules can click together for recording times. Additionally, I work with our team to come up with topic ideas and flesh those ideas out, so we go into our recording sessions with a solid plan. During recordings, I work behind the scenes to help provide coaching and feedback for our hosts and guests. Sometimes, if there are last-minute schedule changes, I’ve even jumped in to host – which has been incredibly fun! Working on the podcast has been both enjoyable and rewarding. It’s great to see our hosts grow more comfortable in their roles and represent our program as amazingly as they do. Every recording session is full of surprises, and we learn something new every time. It’s exciting to see the podcast continue to grow, and I’m pumped to see where the future takes it.”
Kelly Meyer

Another member of the podcast team is AmeriCorps Teacher’s Aide Alexandra Blockton. Alexandra has been a student in the adult education department and is working towards finishing her GED. In 2020, she joined the adult education department staff by taking a position as a teacher’s aide.

Teachers Aide AmeriCorps Member Alexandra Blockton

Here’s what she wanted everyone to know about her role within the podcast:

“Hello Everyone, I am Alexandra Blockton, Full-Time Teachers Aide AmeriCorps Member, and I assist in helping with the podcast by creating the initial interview questions as well as bringing on special guests, outside of L&C Building Futures YouthBuild AmeriCorps, to be interviewed on the podcast. I also generate the different topics on which the podcast will actually present.”
Alexandra Blockton

The final member of the podcast team is me, AmeriCorps VISTA Gabby Ellis. I recently graduated from college and earned my bachelor’s degree. I had interned with the YouthBuild program while I was in school and decided to move into the available VISTA position here at the program in 2019.

Here’s what I’d like to tell you all about my role within the podcast and my experience so far:

“I work with my fellow team members to come up with creative podcast topics, reach out to guests we’d like to be on the podcast and formulate a list of individualized questions for each of our guests. I’m excited to be on this journey with my team and I hope we continue to make amazing podcasts like the former hosts, Zach and Parker, prided themselves on creating.”
Gabby Ellis

The Building Futures podcast has already made an impact by getting the word out there about the YouthBuild program’s support for our community and the opportunities for youth that become YouthBuild members. Now that the torch has been passed on to Jarrius and the new team behind the podcast, there’s no doubt the podcast will continue do great things, form new relationships with other programs and keep everyone up to date with what YouthBuild is doing.

The first few episodes of season 2 have already been released. If you’re interested in listening to new episodes or catching up on past episodes, visit https://buildingfutures.libsyn.com/website.

Gabby Ellis

AmeriCorps VISTA

Scott Bibb Center Honors Alton Hero with Historic Marker

Posted on July 11, 2017 by lewisandclarkcc

Hello, all! Welcome to more Building Futures YouthBuild /AmeriCorps news. In today’s Building Futures

In today’s Building Futures news, we will discuss the man behind Lewis and Clark Community College’s (L&C) newly remodeled satellite site located at 1004 E. 5th Sreet in Alton, Illinois.

The rehabbed building, formerly the old St. Patrick School, was renamed the Scott Bibb Center (SBC) and is located on the corner of 5th and Central. It sits in a place that community members refer to as the Hunterstown area. Unknown to area residents until recently, Hunterstown is a predominantly African-American populated area of Alton.

L&C unveiled and dedicated a historical marker honoring education champion Scott Bibb, who fought against segregated schools in Alton from 1897-1908, on June 19, 2017, in front of the Scott Bibb Center in Alton. Photo by Laura Inlow, L&C Media Services

Scott Bibb displayed significant courage not only for the Alton African-American community but for African-Americans across the nation during his lifetime. Bibb’s fight for the right of his children and their Alton African-American peers to equality and full citizenship sent echoes across the country. In order for his children to exercise equal rights of full citizenship, Bibb challenged Alton officials in the United States courts.

Bibb, an African-American and former slave, migrated from Missouri to Illinois during the American Civil War. As a former slave, Bibb didn’t possess an education, but as a result of his migration to Illinois was, he afforded the opportunity to pursue a formal education. Bibb graduated high school during the short period of desegregation in Alton from 1872-1897.

However, during the summer of 1897, the school board, city council, mayor and the superintendent reinstituted segregation in the Alton public school system defying the Illinois School Laws of 1872 and 1874. Alton officials illegally denied African-American children access to Alton’s Washington school while unlawfully exploiting the Plessy v. Ferguson decision, which established “separate but equal” as a precedent at the time.

The Plessy v. Ferguson precedent was utilized by Alton officials to justify their practice of segregation in the Alton public school system. Alton officials reinstituting segregation in the public school system blatantly violated the law by ignoring the State of Illinois Supreme Court powers to create laws. Through our federal government empowered by the

Though our federal government, empowered by the constitution, local cities or municipalities, must abide by any laws set forth by the State of Illinois Supreme Courts, through federalism, the Illinois Supreme Courts have the ability to enact laws that local jurisdictions must follow.

Although through the same function of constitutional law, local jurisdictions do not have the authority to exercise the same over the State of Illinois. Bibb’s decision to challenge Alton officials in an effort to gain Alton area African-Americans the right to access public educational institutions would eventually lead to several trials, which are now known as the Alton Cases.

Bibb graduated high school during the short period of desegregation in Alton from 1872-1897. However, during the summer of 1897, the school board, city council, mayor and the superintendent reinstituted segregation in the Alton public school system defying the Illinois School Laws of 1872 and 1874. Alton officials illegally denied African-American children access to Alton’s Washington school, while unlawfully exploiting the Plessy v. Ferguson decision which established “separate but equal” as a precedent at the time.

William Furry, the Illinois State Historical Society in Springfield’s executive director, said to the crowd, “Scott Bibb’s story needs to be told and told again to remind us that justice is never easily won.” Photo by Laura Inlow, L&C Media Services

During the Alton Cases, Bibb filed a lawsuit, “The People of the State of Illinois, ex-rel., Scott Bibb vs. The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Alton,” which went to trial seven times in Madison County and was appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court five times. In 1908, the Illinois Supreme Court sided in Bibb’s favor, but the City of Alton continued to defy the Supreme Court ruling for another 50 years until 1958.

On Monday, June 19, 2017, L&C hosted a dedication ceremony to commemorate Scott Bibb and honor him with one of the most significant historical markers in the 118-year history of the Illinois State Historical Society, out of Springfield, Illinois.

According to William Furry, the Illinois State Historical Society in Springfield’s executive director, “Scott Bibb’s story needs to be told and told again to remind us that justice is never easily won.”

A historical marker honoring education champion Scott Bibb, who fought against segregated schools in Alton from 1897-1908, on June 19, 2017, is unveiled in front of the Scott Bibb Center in Alton. Photo by Louise Jett, L&C Media Specialist

Bibb’s fight for desegregated facilities did not go without its fair share of controversy within the Alton Black community, as well. African-Americans at the time were divided on their beliefs of what the best socioeconomic solution would be. Much like the American Civil War, which preceded the Alton Cases, African-American families were divided on the issue of whether their children attending segregated schools would do more harm than good for their communities.

African-American proponents for segregation argued points of African-American employment and the fair treatment of African-American children as reasons to not segregate African-American children into a single school system.

Visitors interact with informative posters during the dedication of a historical marker honoring education champion Scott Bibb, who fought against segregated schools in Alton from 1897-1908, on June 19, 2017. Photo by Laura Inlow, L&C Media Services

As history has taught us, the Alton public school system desegregated eventually (like the rest of the country) and resulted in what we see currently as the Scott Bibb Center. Today, the SBC stands as a place for community members to be empowered. Lewis and Clark is dedicated to raising aspirations and fostering achievement through dynamic, compassionate and responsible learning experiences at the SBC and beyond.

Visitors learn about classroom experiments in agriculture during the Scott Bibb Historic Marker Dedication. Photo by Laura Inlow, L&C Media Services

Until the next time, signing off……

Pat Mays
YouthBuild Coordinator

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King

Building Futures at the Scott Bibb Center

Posted on February 28, 2017 by lewisandclarkcc

Hello, all! Welcome to more Building Futures YouthBuild/AmeriCorps news. Since the first blog post in January of 2017, the students have been working hard participating in CNA and information technology, construction, leadership development, career readiness and GED preparation courses.

As a satellite site for Lewis and Clark Community College, the Scott Bibb Center (SBC) is important to the Alton community as a whole but especially for the residents that reside in the Hunterstown area. I myself PROUDLY claim Hunterstown as my place of origin and home. According to www.altonweb.com, Charles Hunter, an Alton developer who presumably Hunterstown is named after, was also noted as on of “Alton’s best known Underground Railroad conductors.” The Hunterstown area founded in 1830 consisted of many free and escaped slaves as residents.

The Hunterstown area, founded in 1830, consisted of many free and escaped slaves as residents. Still, to this day Hunterstown predominantly has an African American population. For those individuals without transportation who reside in the Hunterstown area, the SBC represents a community center in which individuals can participate in many of the Lewis and Clark Community College programs, including GED preparation, YouthBuild, Family Literacy and Daycare, Project Read and Highway Construction.

In years past the SBC was used also as a Computer Technology Center (CTC). Through grant funding, the SBC was utilized by community residents as a place where they could venture within walking distance to update their resumes, apply for jobs and check emails, among a list of other things. During this time period, individuals like Derrik Hubbard used the CTC quite frequently.

Derrik Hubbard poses for his official Building Futures YouthBuild Full-Time AmeriCorp Member Position faculty badge.

Derrik was a regular! He grew up in Hunterstown under the supervision of various foster care homes. I myself vividly remember watching Derrik playing basketball on a small breakaway rim in the alley off of Spring Street as a child. Although we were not peers due to the proximity in location of our homes Derrik and I have known of each other, practically our whole lives!

Growing up in the foster care system, Derrik experienced difficulties that caused social traumas that hindered him from forming healthy relationships. We see social traumas in the reflection of the daily news. When social traumas exist coupled with cultural differences, the end result leads to volatile social interactions. Derrik, like so many of YouthBuild students, came into the program with a legitimate chip on his shoulder.

Therein lies the significance of the SBC in the Hunterstown area. The faculty and staff participate in diversity training and human resource policies that equip them with needed abilities. Even though they may come from a variety of different cultural backgrounds, they are aware of the true hardships and struggles that their students face. They understand that a person’s behavior cannot just be dismissed as a superficial cognitive or behavioral disorder, but that those behaviors are rooted in real life problems with consequences and results that affect the human psyche.

For example, say a theoretical student, “John,” has perfect attendance in class, but he is rarely attentive and often sleeps during class. Whenever questioned about his lack of participation or about sleeping in class, he responds in a very hostile and defensive manner. In addition, he lashes out in defense and becomes very verbally aggressive whenever he feels like he is backed into a corner.

During a faculty meeting to discuss how to address “John’s” unacceptable behaviors, it is decided that a counselor should be brought in to speak to “John.” The SBC has an onsite counselor available to speak to students. Through several counseling sessions, it is discovered that “John” couch hops every night from one friend’s house to another, or sometimes has nowhere to stay and sleeps wherever he can. “John,” at times, goes days without eating and is ashamed to let anyone know of his situation in fear of being looked down upon. This is the core of the problem of “John’s” anti-social and counterproductive behaviors. The staff at the SBC is trained and effective in identifying and finding solutions to alter a student’s behavior, while connecting the student to social services through referrals.

This example was not particularly Derrik’s case. None the less, Derrik and the faculty experienced their fair share of trying times, to say the least. Derrik at one point was not allowed to come to the SBC due to his disruptive behaviors. But, the faculty and staff at the SBC have “BIG HEARTS” and are always willing to give a second, third or fourth try to an individual, until they are finally ready to take life head on. Derrik, after a period of time, realized the errors of his ways and apologized for his past behaviors. He was then allowed to take advantage of services rendered at the SBC.

Derrik clears debris for Senior Services Plus (SSP) parking lot replacement.

Derrik for the first time followed all the rules and interacted with every faculty member in a respectful and caring manner. Ironically, through all the bad that the faculty had experienced with Derrik, they also grew fond of him. They always knew Derrik was a good person; he just needed time to discover what he really wanted out of life. And, then the faculty at the SBC did the unthinkable (gasps!!!!) and recommended Derrik for the Building Futures YouthBuild Full-Time AmeriCorps Member Position. Derrik now receives a small stipend to assist with living costs and works as a liaison for the program with the students and the community in regards to facilities maintenance.

Derrik dumping debris from an unfinished parking lot at SSP in preparation for parking lot replacement.

To find out the rest of Derrik’s story and how the SBC is important to the Hunterstown area, tune into the next Building Futures YouthBuild blog post!

Until the next time….

Pat Mays
Community Services Coordinator

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King

A New Year of Building Futures

Posted on January 24, 2017 by lewisandclarkcc

Hello, all! Welcome to the Building Futures YouthBuild/AmeriCorps blog.

2017 has arrived! As we enter a new year, Building Futures YouthBuild is preparing itself for the arrival of a new batch of students ready and eager for their next phase of life.

After enjoying the holidays, the faculty have returned to the newly remodeled Scott Bibb Center (SBC) to “knock the dust off” before the students arrive.

The Scott Bibb Center is located at 1004 East 5th Street in Alton, Ilinois.

When arriving at the SBC on the first day of this semester, it was as dark as the somewhat eerie photo above. (But, just look at our new sign!) I found myself the first in the building. I walked down the hallway, automatic lights on the ceiling activated with each step, sparking my vivid and childlike imagination of the Michael Jackson video “Billie Jean,” which I must admit, enticed me to live out my pop star fantasies with MJ like pizazz, mimicking the dance move below I had practiced for countless hours as a child but could never perfect!

I only wish I could dance like Micheal Jackson.

As I completed the spin, balancing myself on my tippy toes successfully for the first time in life for more than 2 seconds, my celebration ended before it began as I found myself gazing at the eye in the sky, a security camera! Brought back to the reality that I was a working professional, I quickly scampered off to my office hoping I did not have to start off the year with a barrage of MJ jokes and verbal hazing from security for the next three months should someone run across the footage.

One would ask why embarrass yourself with this story? Well honestly, I have no shame for a good cause! I laughed as I entered my office, but it made me realize something: just how youthful the students keep the entire faculty, including me, and how their passion for life inspires me. I have no excuse for hanging my head over my disappointments.

Each year, students fill the SBC, bringing this eerie building to life with their laughter and joy. Despite the pressing, adult situations a lot of them face, they possess the courage to press on. I realized why I felt so warm and fuzzy coming into the building. While on holiday break, I was around friends and family, but with the same anticipation I counted until the last day of the fall semester, I immediately felt the same excitement about my return from break. I realized the reason is because the faculty and the students are my family and friends, as well. The family-like environment that Lewis and Clark Community College has provided YouthBuild, just like so many families, is filled full of ups and downs, disagreements, love, life and laughter.

I am proud to help students find their paths and eager to begin a new cohort! This year our YouthBuild students will be offered three career pathways:

Construction

Building Futures YouthBuild students worked with a team from local Lowe’s stores to improve private homes along Central Avenue in Alton, Monday, June 20, 2016. The students and volunteers painted, rebuilt fences and stained a deck, among other work, all of which is part of the program’s long-term Central Avenue Beautification Project. Photo by Laura Inlow, L&C Media Services Manager

Health Sciences

Lindsey Arico (right) graduated from Lewis and Clark Community College and now is a certified nurse assistant/receptionist in the Family Health Clinic at L&C. Photo by S. Paige Allen, Lewis and Clark Community College photographer/media specialist

Information Technology

Not only will Building Futures YouthBuild students be able to acquire a technical overview of modern information technology, but the schedule is designed so that they will also earn college credits. Students will be able to follow the Digital Leadership curriculum, AND graduates will earn 17 college credit hours toward their degree in Computer Networking in one year. After the first year, successful students will graduate with CompTIA A+ certification and a Certificate of Completion in Computer System Technology. Once the program is completed, students are well on their way to one of three advanced Certificates of Proficiency or an Associate in Applied Science degree.

For those of you who are new to this blog, Building Futures YouthBuild Director Sabrina Davis best summarizes what we do:

“Building Futures YouthBuild is about helping students transition into their career interests after completing their GED®. All 16-24 year olds that are looking to finish their GED® and build a future for themselves would definitely benefit from being a part of the YouthBuild movement. The New Year will be a great opportunity for students to get a fresh start, and Building Futures YouthBuild is the place to begin. Transformation looks different for all young people, and we want to make sure that we are providing multiple pathways to help satisfy those needs.
~ Sabrina Davis

A 2016 YouthBuild graduate Andre Ewing said, “If I didn’t go to YouthBuild, I would still have an average job. In my opinion, if you are considering joining YouthBuild, you should definitely give it a try. As long as you stick to it, you will enjoy it. Stick with it. In the end, it is really worth it.”

Andre Ewing, center, was one of 128 students earned their General Equivalency Diplomas (GEDs) through Lewis and Clark Community College’s Adult Education department and the Regional Office of Education Adult Learning Center in 2016. Now, he is a student in Lewis and Clark Community College’s Welding program.

For more information or to sign up for January’s 2017 cohort please contact:

Student services coordinator, Sherrie Kirbach at 618.468.4113 or Director, Sabrina Davis at 618.468.4150.

To learn more about YouthBuild, visit www.lc.edu/youthbuild.

Until the next time signing off…

Pat Mays
Community Services Coordinator

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King

Building Future Forms Partnerships to Boost Mentoring Program

Posted on July 26, 2016 by lewisandclarkcc

Hello and welcome to another Building Futures YouthBuild AmeriCorps blog post!

YWCA Executive Director Andrea Lamer assists her mentor with staining the Army Corps of Engineers outlook.

In an earlier blog post, All Students Need Mentors, we discussed the YouthBuild Mentoring program and how mentors assisted our students to complete the Army Corps of Engineers outlook. Well, I have exciting news! Building Futures has formed new partnerships that will enhance the mentoring program. Let me give you a short recap from our previous blog of what the YouthBuild mentoring program is all about.

All Building Futures staff are trained to be caring mentors for students, while they are in the program. In order to provide adequate adult support for Building Futures graduates transitioning into employment or college, YouthBuild USA has developed a mentoring model to engage adult volunteers in 15-month mentoring relationships to assist students during this transition. Building Futures has obtained YouthBuild USA funds from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to create this mentoring model.

Lewis and Clark Community College’s Building Futures YouthBuild program has been a recipient of the OJJDP mentoring model since 2014. Two new partnerships has just been developed, which will strengthen the mentoring program. The first partnership, which is with Lewis and Clark sociology instructors and the criminal justice program, will assist students as they transition into post-secondary education. The second partnership, which is with Lowe’s, will provide more mentors, who will aid students, as they complete their GEDs and transition into college.

The first partnership allows YouthBuild students to vertically integrate into college by providing them with a mentor that is already in college. This establishes more of a peer-to-peer relationship, so when the student has obtained his/her GED they have a friend who is already familiar with Lewis and Clark Community College to assist them in their transition. This opportunity is also beneficial to the criminal justice program, as explained by Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Jessica Noble.

“I see this internship as beneficial because my students will gain practical experience through a reputable organization. They will be able to learn soft skills, such as communication, positive attitude, mentoring and encouraging, and they will also gain work experience. A lot of my students want to work with troubled youth and this is one way for them to do this without having to wait until employment.This partnership definitely adds meaningfulness to my juvenile offender and corrections courses. As an instructor with a background in this field, I feel that this is an invaluable experience that can enhance a student’s learning through real world experience. It is not enough to simply tell an example, now they can really experience it.”

~ Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Jessica Noble.

Jessica Noble, second from left, presents Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Awards to Kimberly Bledsoe, Jacob Lively, Linsey Rice and Brittany Smith during the 39th Annual Lewis and Clark Community College Honors Ceremony.

As I mentioned, the second partnership is with Lowe’s. Local Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Alton and Glen Carbon have been integral partners in the Central Avenue Beautification project, donating $2,500 each toward materials, for a total of $5,000, along with 15 volunteer work hours. In addition, Lowe’s has also agreed to become a mentor. Adrienne Portell, Alton Lowe’s store manager explained Lowe’s interest in partnering with YouthBuild.

“Lowe’s is excited to partner with YouthBuild because we share similar core values of being a part of something bigger and making a difference in someone’s day, every day. Lowe’s has had several very positive experiences partnering with YouthBuild in the past, and we are excited to continue to build our relationship with YouthBuild and our community. I do have personal interests in partnering with YouthBuild. As a teenager, I know that having a positive mentor in my life helped me look past life’s circumstances and helped me realize my full potential. Having been graced with having such amazing people in my life, I feel drawn to help in any way I can and be a positive mentor to those in similar situations. I am excited to be able to bring a strong partnership to the table with YouthBuild. As a home improvement retailer, we have a plethora of resources and expertise in the home improvement sector, as well as strong business acumen and several advanced degrees from our senior staff that we are excited to draw from to help anyone who may benefit from the expertise we bring.”

~ Alton Lowe’s Manager Adrienne Portell

Adrienne Portell, from Lowes, stands with YouthBuild Director Sabrina Davis, at the Youthbuild Central Ave. Beautification Project Kickoff.

Check out more photos from the Youthbuild Central Ave. Beautification Project Kickoff:

After reading this blog If you or your organization is interested in becoming a mentor and making a change in a young person’s life please contact me at 618.468.4159.

Until the next time signing off…

Pat Mays
Community Services Coordinator

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King

YouthBuild is Seeking Volunteers for its Central Avenue Beautification Project

Posted on June 14, 2016 by lewisandclarkcc

Image Source

Hello all! Welcome to more Building Futures YouthBuild/AmeriCorps news.

As the seasons change, we are embarking on the summer months. For most people this brings vivid images of summer fun, water activities, barbecues and quality family time. Most people are grasping at the opportunities that summer brings, like vacations and memories we will never forget.

Although vacations are great, a lot of our days will be found among our daily hectic lives of juggling work, school, children’s schedules and the vast amount of bills that never seem to stop popping up. As we progress in our lives by graduating high school, attending college, starting or continuing careers, we become consumed by everything going on.

We often think that our struggles are the worst struggles, and, if they are not, they are pretty close. We take for granted that, even though we may not be where we want to be, we are not where we could possibly be. With all that being said, I will ask you to take a moment to envision what It would be like if you didn’t have your job? What If you lacked an education? What if you were not equipped with the skills, opportunities and pathways you have had to make your life what it is today? How would your summer look?

As of May 16 2016, the Building Futures program began an orientation for 15 new YouthBuild/AmeriCorps members who have made the commitment to bettering themselves and their communities this summer. They have started the journey of a newly implemented structure of the YouthBuild program which will take them on a yearlong intensive GED and Job skills training regimen.

This summer they will enjoy the cool air conditioning at the newly remodeled Scott Bibb center in the morning but by lunch time things will drastically change. They will be moving outside for a good cause to apply there contextualized job skills training to add to the Building Futures Central Avenue Beautification Project.

YouthBuild Director Sabrina Davis speaks to students and volunteers at the Youthbuild Central Avenue Beautification Project Kickoff.

The Central Avenue Beautification Project is a scope of work developed by Building Futures YouthBuild to identify the repair and beautification needs with the property owners and to help them meet those needs. At this time, the projected scope of work for most properties along Central Avenue will involve landscaping, structural repair, and painting or cleaning. Our expectation is that this will be an exciting partnership with the residents along Central Avenue and a benefit for all.

Students and mentors paint and fix a fence at the circle of Central Ave.

We will be starting at Central Circle and ending at a vacant lot on East 4^th street where we plan to help build a pocket park. The pocket park will feature raised garden beds and sitting areas as well as a community library box. Our work will effectively touch 60 homes at an estimated value of $30,000 dollars and will result in a much needed facelift for the street, and, if successful, lead to other projects of this type in the Alton area.

YouthBuild students and volunteers rehab a garage on Central Ave.

So before you start planning your summer vacations and worrying about work, remember that there is a group of students that are doing whatever it takes to better their communities. They are looking for volunteers to help with this endeavor and hope to make a lasting impact for their fellow neighbors.

YouthBuild students and mentors repair a porch.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact the B uilding Futures YouthBuild/AmeriCorps Program, so we can help guide you to a great place where you can spend some of your summer days. It’s an opportunity to serve where there is a need!

Until the next time Signing off!

Pat Mays

YouthBuild Coordinator

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King.

L&C Adult Education Department Hosts YouthBuild USA

Posted on May 19, 2016 by lewisandclarkcc

Former YouthBuild and current L&C Restoration Ecology student Andrew Middleton shares the opportunities YouthBuild provide him with conference goers. Photos by Louise Jett, Media Specialist

Hello all! Welcome to another riveting Building Futures blog post!

YouthBuild USA is a membership organization that has built a robust network of 260 urban and rural YouthBuild programs in 46 states. They are sponsored and managed by local nonprofits, community colleges (including Lewis and Clark Community College), and public agencies whose primary funding source is the US Department of Labor (DOL) through the authorized federal YouthBuild program administered by the Employment and Training Administration at DOL. YouthBuild USA provides training and technical assistance, leadership development, funding for innovative program enhancements, and advocacy for these programs.

One of the initiatives that YouthBuild USA has been leading is the Postsecondary Education (PSE) Initiative, which has been supported by various foundations, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The Gap, over the past 7 years.

This spring’s PSE conference was hosted in partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College’s Building Futures YouthBuild program, which focuses on creating strong graduate support systems and interventions to increase the percentage of YouthBuild students completing high school and postsecondary credentials in the Alton/Godfrey area.

Spring 2016 Postsecondary Education Initiative Convening

Hosted by Building Futures YouthBuild, April 26-28, photos by Louise Jett, L&C Media Specialist

Fifty-sixty YouthBuild program directors, transition coordinators, instructors and postsecondary partners from across the nation attended this event. As with past conferences, Lewis and Clark Community College hosted workshops tailored to the learning needs of different groups of YouthBuild and postsecondary practitioners.

The event began Tuesday, April 26, at the Scott Bibb Center in Alton and was led by Building Futures students to highlight the College’s YouthBuild project and its various components. On Wednesday, conferees experienced Lewis and Clark’s beautiful campus and were exposed to our talented faculty and leadership. We also treated attendees to a college tour that highlighted initiatives which promote postsecondary success for adult education and YouthBuild students. The event closed at the Atrium hotel in Alton, Thursday morning.

Lewis and Clark Community College and the Building Futures YouthBuild AmeriCorps program hosted the PSE convening as an opportunity to showcase the College and the talents of its faculty and staff as well as the promising practices Lewis and Clark uses to move students from Adult Education into college.

“It was an honor to be joined by other YouthBuild Programs across the nation to address the importance of post-secondary education placement for our opportunity youth,” L&C YouthBuild Director Sabrina Davis said. “We worked in collaboration with L&C faculty and leadership to deliver information that was both informative and inspiring. I was proud to be a part of a college that supports the YouthBuild mission and all students gaining access to higher education.”

Lewis and Clark Community College hosting the 2016 PSE Conference holds great significance. In today’s climate the State of Illinois has been experiencing turmoil as legislators and Governor Bruce Rauner are unable to compromise and agree on a state budget. The result of this stalemate at the Illinois State Capitol is the beginning of the dissolution of our state’s human service and higher education infrastructures.

Many Adult Education departments at community colleges across the state have had to downsize while others have completely shut down. Through effective leadership and support from Lewis and Clark Community College, the Adult Education Department has been able to avoid personnel layoffs and sustain programs offered throughout the college’s district.

The PSE Conference was held shortly after Lewis and Clark Community College Adult Education faculty and students visited the state capitol for “Legislative Awareness Day,” which was held April 12 in Springfield.

Illinois State Senator William R. Haine poses with students and staff members from L&C’s Adult Education department during Legislative Awareness Day, April 12.

“It is exciting to see students and staff come together from across the state to demonstrate their support of this great cause and to feel a part of the legislative process,” said Associate Dean of Adult Education Val Harris and Co-Chair of IACEA’s Legislative Committee. “Legislative Awareness Day is a wonderful demonstration of our association’s advocacy efforts.”

Even participates agree with Val, and the crowd was engaged throughout the event, at times chanting “Adult Ed Works!”

Until the next time, signing off……
Pat Mays
YouthBuild Coordinator

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”
– Dr. Martin Luther King.

YouthBuild and L&C Cares: The perfect match

Posted on April 22, 2016 by lewisandclarkcc

Hello all! Welcome to another riveting Building Futures YouthBuild blog post!

Lewis and Clark Community College has continued its volunteering efforts with “Lewis and Clark Cares,” a week-long initiative that was designed for L&C students to connect with community organizations and provide much needed volunteer man power.

This is the third year of the project, which coincides with National Volunteer Week, April 11 -15. The first year we had 70 students and last year we had 87 students who took the time from their busy schedules to make a difference in the community.

A group of student volunteers from Student Government Association, Student Activities and Youthbuild pose on the student-built sculpture outside of Reid Hall for National Volunteer Week.

Lewis and Clark Community College is the sponsoring organization for the Building Futures YouthBuild Program. Whenever it is feasible Building Futures attempts to involve our students in as many Lewis and Clark Community College activities as possible. “Lewis and Clark Cares” directly aligns with the Building Futures YouthBuild AmeriCorps philosophy of community service and the YouthBuild Pledge which states:

BUILDING FUTURES YOUTHBUILD PLEDGE

We, the members of Building Futures YouthBuild, pledge that we are working together to improve and rebuild our community, as a sustainable entity, implementing green strategies, methods, and materials; to relate to each other in cooperative ways; to develop our potential as leaders; to discover meaningful career pathways; to educate and improve ourselves and help others along the way; to respect our peers, neighbors, and all life; to be part of a great movement for justice, equality, and peace. All this we will do with compassion and dignity.

This is the second year that Building Futures has had the fortune to participate in “L&C Cares.” Last year Building Futures participated by volunteering at several different locations but only on the last day of the week. This year Building Futures has taken a more aggressive approach in our students’ volunteering efforts by volunteering at three different sites over the span of three different days. This year the sites that Building Futures conducted its volunteer activities were as follows:

YWCA of Alton: Expunged the attic
Jacoby Art Center: Painted wall, cut in stairwell, sanded and prepped twp bathrooms
Rock Springs: Worked at four different site areas, helped the middle school students planting, cleaning debris, mulching, and evasive plant removals

Jared Hennings, coordinator of “L&C Cares” and L&C’s Student Engagement department, receives his 20 Year Service Award from Dr. Dale Chapman.

Jared Hennings, coordinator of Student Activities, Advisor of Black Student Association and Co-Advisor of Student Government Association at L&C, is the architect behind “L&C Cares.” Jared also hosts the annual “Underground Railroad” tour which highlights historical abolitionists and homes in the area that were along the route of the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves on their way to the north.

Tour guide and L&C instructor J. E. Robinson, left, discusses local history with Gwen Price and Jared Hennings, Black Student Association advisor, in the basement of the Enos Apartment Building in Alton, Feb. 28 2014, during an Underground Railroad Tour offered by Lewis and Clark Community College in honor of Black History Month.

In taking the time to interview, question and understand why Jared Hennings felt the need to begin “L&C Cares” my eyes were opened to a man of great depth and caring for individuals within the Alton community regardless of race, creed or socioeconomic status. The following is a depiction of the interview I had the pleasure of conducting with Jared.

What inspired you to begin the “Lewis and Clark Cares” event?

I’ve volunteered for many years in our community and I place a lot of value in the importance of volunteering. I thought it would be fantastic for the college to commit to a week of giving back to our community and make our contribution impactful.

What is the goal of “Lewis and Clark Cares?”

The Goal of “Lewis and Clark Cares” is to have a unified effort and have students represent the college in this endeavor. Maybe from volunteering, students will realize how important volunteering is and they could be inspired to make volunteering a part of their life.

What benefits does “Lewis and Clark Cares” bring to the Alton community?

“Lewis and Clark Cares” brings a personal connection with the Alton community in realizing that the college and students are behind helping out wherever there is a need.

How has Youthbuild’s efforts contributed to “Lewis & Clark Cares?”

Youthbuild’s participation is unmatched. They already understand the value of community service before I started this effort. The students are reliable which the biggest concern to any volunteering effort. YouthBuild has strength in numbers and also construction skills to attack some of the more skilled orientated projects.

Until the next time signing off!

Pat Mays
YouthBuild Coordinator

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King