“When you feel like you can no longer do it… STRIVE, because there is always a rainbow at the end of the tunnel” –Kate Collins

Kate Collins is a 2018 YBNCWV graduate.  Pregnant at 15 years old, Kate was faced with trying to attend school and attend to her newborn baby.  Even though she was setup for homebound schooling, it was not successful for Kate.  Eventually, Kate had to drop out from High School and enroll in Youth Build.

“I had to do something with myself because it was so hard to go to school, work and take care of a newborn baby as a teenager” –Kate Collins

While enrolled at YBNCWV, Kate obtained many certifications and her TASC, but most significantly she obtained a certificate in Chronic Disease and Diabetes Management so that she could education others on how to deal with illness and diabetes.  She volunteered at the local hospital (Davis Medical Center) and attended the 2018 Conference of Young Leaders in Washington, D.C where she met other young people who attend Youth Build programs across the U.S.  After graduating from YBNCWV, Kate signed on for another term with AmeriCorps under the Education Alliance—she mentors disconnected children in Middle School as an initiative to support under-served youth in Randolph County Schools.  Kate’s dream is to work with disabled youth; she wants to continue her education at Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV to obtain a degree in Special Education.

“There are days that you aren’t going to want to come… whatever is going on you’re not going to want to do it, but you have to because if you don’t come… that could be a day you miss something important and miss the opportunity to that will get you where you want to be.  You’ve gotta want it… because if you don’t, you’re not going to succeed” –Sylvia Adams

Sylvia Adams is a 2017 YBNCWV graduate. Unsuccessful with completing High School, traditionally, Sylvia decided the first step towards a brighter future would be obtaining her GED, now known as the TASC diploma.

“All the jobs that I wanted, I didn’t qualify for… because I didn’t have my high school diploma and it pushed me to get into a program where I could get the qualifications I needed” -Sylvia Adams 

This motivated her to enroll at Youth Build NCWV.  While in Youth Build, she obtained her OSHA, First Aid/CPR and many other certifications.  She also attended Garrett College Med Prep courses— she completed the Medical Assistant and two courses in Medical Terminology.  Sylvia also job shadowed at Davis Medical Center while enrolled at YBNCWV, and was hired on to work in the Operating Room Department (O.R.).  Sylvia’s dream is to pursue her education and career in Phlebotomy, and hopes to employ the AmeriCorps Education Award she obtained after completing her Youth Build AmeriCorps term with YBNCWV.

“Always try to find a different path before giving up on the things you want to do because there are so many different paths in life”  -Kaden Stewart

Kaden Stewart is a 2018 YBNCWV graduate.  Before enrolling into the Youth Build program, Kaden was having a difficult time with peers because of his transgender identity.  Kaden also suffered mental illness and missed a lot of school because of medical reasons—before he knew it, Kaden found himself in 9^th grade for the 3^rd year in a row and at that point he made the tough decision to discontinue public schooling.  Even though Kaden had the support of his mother to discontinue school, he didn’t want to quit on his educational success.  After researching alternatives for education, with the support of his family, Kaden found Youth Build NCWV.  Kaden and his family sought YBNCWV as a good alternative because Kaden would be able to obtain job skills, income and most importantly the TASC diploma.  While in Youth Build, Kaden was able to obtain many certifications like OSHA, First Aid/CPR, Food Handlers and his TASC, which he tested for on his 17^th birthday…

“I told myself, this is my birthday present to me… I’m going to get this!” –Kaden Stewart.

After graduating Youth Build, Kaden enrolled into Fairmont State University to pursue his dream in Arts.