PORTLAND YOUTHBUILDERS

Target demographics: Low-income youth between the ages of 17-24 who have dropped out of high school.

Programs: Pyb provides the following support services to students:counseling and support services: pyb is committed to supporting each student's personal growth and stability. Upon arrival at pyb, students are assigned counselors who meet regularly with them to discuss barriers, help set and monitor personal and professional goals, and provide crisis intervention, mediation, and referrals to community resources. Financial assistance: students are provided a modest stipend and opportunities to earn additional performance-based bonuses to help meet their basic living expenses. Graduate services: pyb is committed to students' long term success. After students complete the core pyb program, counselors and career coaches continue to meet with them individually, providing a minimum of one year of intensive follow-up support. Students in college or apprenticeship programs receive multiple year graduate support until they complete their post-secondary goals.

vocational training - pyb students may elect to participate in one of two programs:construction program: led by trained professionals, construction students acquire a firm grounding in all aspects of construction, from pouring foundations to installing interior finishes. Working with clients such as habitat for humanity, they produce housing for low-income families in the community. Computer technology program: pyb was selected in 2001 as one of four youthbuild sites around the country to receive funding for a pilot computer technology program. Today, computer technology students at pyb's youth media worksite learn to assemble and upgrade desktop computers, troubleshoot hardware malfunctions, design web pages, use office software, and complete multi-media projects benefiting low-income and nonprofit organizations in the community.

academic education - pyb students earn their high school diplomas or ged certificates. Academic teachers instruct students in small groups and one-on-one, using project-based curricula that prepare students for college level work and successful enrollment in post-secondary education and training programs.