Youth Skills Building Program
The Youth Skills Building Program (YSBP) is a collaboration of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services, and St. Gabriel Parish in South Philadelphia. The program educates youth in basic home repair and carpentry skills, which they use to repair homes victimized by crime through this community-based gun mitigation and anti-violence program.
Over 26 weeks, young people ages 13 to 18 learn carpentry, electrical work, concrete skills, home repair, and property maintenance. A social worker teaches life skills such as conflict resolution and financial literacy.
Challenge or Need
This program is designed to give youth a second chance. Beyond skill development, the YSBP aims to mitigate the negative effects of gun violence, exposure to which can impact teens’ school performance and psychological well-being. The program motto is: “Guns Down, Tools Up.”
The YSBP’s overarching goal to help young people facing challenges become independent, responsible, and productive men and women.
Some participants have witnessed the shooting of a family member or friend; a few have been involved in the juvenile justice system. They had to go to court, they were convicted, and now they are given a second chance to get it right.
With redemption and renewal being central concepts of the Catholic faith, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia is committed to providing support and opportunities for people seeking a second chance.
Why It’s Innovative
The program is a collaboration among Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services, and St. Gabriel Parish in South Philadelphia designed to give at-risk youth positive options. The YSBP selection process involves an application and a personal interview with the teen and their parent or guardian. We don’t discount them if they have a checkered past. The question is: Are they ready to turn it around?
Program Impact
This program is the baseline education into the trades. Then we try to get them to matriculate into more advanced training. Two recent graduates are enrolled in the carpentry program at Orleans Technical College while another is studying real estate at Temple University. Another has an internship with an electrician and a side hustle doing weatherization projects.
Lessons Learned
We learned of the valuable partnerships and win-win relationships available by working with local parishes. We also saw that we can work with city governments for funding and still create and execute a program in a uniquely Catholic way.
In the news