YouthBuild-Lawrence (continued) This hands-on opportunity affords students chances to explore, practice, and master work readiness skills while performing community service. Service learning prepares students with employability skills (team work, facilitation, peer supervision, project planning and cooperation) with community stakeholders. YouthBuild-Lawrence has experienced impact with Service Learning Thursdays. For example, at Windrush Farm in North Andover, which is a licensed therapeutic equine facility providing treatment to its clients, improves their personal, psychological and physical abilities, has benefited YouthBuild’s students service learning experiences. This community service venue provides YouthBuild-Lawrence students weekly opportunities to explore careers in Human Services, Animal Sciences, and Facilities Management/Building Trades. Through their job duties at Windrush Farm, the students develop valuable work readiness skills. The students’ progress is evaluated through Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plans to assess work readiness gains. Specific job titles that are available to students serving at Windrush include: Side Walker (responsible for the safety of clients, responsible for effectively encouraging and communicating with clients), Horse Handler (responsible for the health/cleanliness of horse, also safe application of equipment), and Barn Maintenance (responsible for maintaining a clean environment, responsible for repair). The specific skills associated with the above job titles include: communication skills (verbal and non-verbal), accepting criticism, time management, occupational safety, problem solving, following directions and planning. As a result of this partnership, YouthBuild-Lawrence’s students gained an adult mentoring experience through a positive working relationship with Windrush Farm’s Facilities Manager and staff. Also, because each student demonstrates professionalism and work ethic, the Windrush Farm’s Volunteer Coordinator writes letters of recommendation for participating students. Construction Consistent with YouthBuild-Lawrence’s new program model, the construction team designed and constructed four training stations consisting of: a roof section for siding and shingle exercises, a full size wall framing display, a fastener display and a scale model wall framing display. The team introduced additional academic and career path areas related to construction including: reading of blueprints, layout and design, energy star standards, landscaping, demolition, painting, trim work, interior and exterior finishing, small home repairs and drafting of job estimations. Furthermore, students receive OSHA 10-hour, HBI Pre-Apprentice Construction Training (PACT) and National Center for Construction Education & Resources (NCCER) trainings. Additionally, YouthBuild students who are 18 years or older and Lawrence residents are eligible to receive training to obtain a Massachusetts De-Leading License funded in part by the City of Lawrence through the Department of US Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and managed through the City of Lawrence Office of Community Development (OCD). 11
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