Excerpts from YouthBuild Graduation

Last Friday, September 11, Mile High Youth Corps Corpsmembers took part in a graduation ceremony celebrating successful completion of the YouthBuild program. All YouthBuild graduates have developed construction skills, obtained educational goals through making educational advancements and/or completion of a GED, and engaged in leadership development, civic engagement and job readiness activities. The final step for YouthBuild graduates is finding long-term employment or entering post-secondary education. Nearly half of this class of graduates has already started in their next positions, from joining construction apprenticeships to working on energy and water conservation projects. Another fourth have started interviewing, while several are dedicated to continuing their education within the next year utilizing the AmeriCorps education awards they earned through Mile High Youth Corps.

We have included some excerpts from the Fall 2009 YouthBuild Graduation below:

Mellissa’s Commencement Speech:
I think that in some ways our backgrounds after mental toughness brought us together, some of us before this job wouldn’t have even spoke to each other if we had seen each other walking down the street, on the bus or even in our own neighborhood.

Today is a proud day for all of us, we have broken barriers and stereotypes that destroyed our communities, reached out to help communities and in the process of this we remained upbeat and faith filled that we were impacting our futures and the futures those who may be watching us, like our children, brothers, and sisters.

I am truly happy and proud to have met all of you, to see you all achieve things that may have not been possible a year ago due to life’s little inconveniencies; you are all unique, intelligent individuals that are inspirational to me and many others.

Justine’s Commencement Speech:
I started the YouthBuild program February 9th and it’s been 8 months since and I’m graduating today, September 11th ready and confident to take that next big step. This program has been the best experience of my life. The energy and the support was amazing.

My classmates always managed to turn my frowns around, and my teachers never gave up on me no matter how much of a pain I was.

I came to Mile High Youth Corps lost and confused, I was a big mess, with no hope, but today, and from here on, I’m making my past my past and I’m leaving a new changed person with so much confidence. My only visions are sucess, I know now I have the power to provide and make the best for me and my son.

GRADUATION POEM
by
Brenden Fresquez

We all came with our own steps
Steady stepping with Mile High
We have this experience forever
A Scar that will be there forever and won’t ever get covered up
Don’t ever give up
Stay up
And if anyone falls remember mile high brought us up
Inspired by the green with that M standing strong by our hearts
We go for thee gold to succeed
We follow our hearts to believe
Mile High Helped us to Believe
On behalf of Youth build
To the youth build staff
Thank you

YB Graduation Slide Show

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Special Announcement

With ten years of incredible service given to Mile High Youth Corps, Shanda Vangas is leaving MHYC for a terrific position in the private sector. As of September 14th Shanda will be the Grants Manager for the Xcel Energy Foundation where she will be responsible for managing their grant-making process in Colorado. Shanda joined MHYC in 1999 becoming my very first hire (and only our 2nd employee) at a time when the Corps needed rejuvenation in order to thrive as it is today. For her tireless investment in the Corps that has reached over 1,000 youth during her tenure, MHYC honored Shanda in 2007 with its prestigious ‘Expanding Horizons’ award. What a joy it’s been to work with Shanda and what an asset she’s been for the agency. With gratitude for her commitment to young people, her integrity, creativity and leadership, we thank Shanda and we wish her all the best in her new endeavor.

- Kelly Causey, Executive Director

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Why I Hike for Youth

Mile High Youth Corps staff member, Christy, with her husband Joe at the top of Gray's Peak.

It is that time of year again when the nights get a little cooler, the air is crisper, and the leaves begin to change.. Fall is my favorite time of year, it is also my favorite time to be outside.

My husband and I have been fortunate to participate in Hike for Youth every year since it began in 2004. It is something we look forward to as a time to get out with family and friends for a day of hiking through beautiful Golden Gate Canyon State Park. What keeps us coming back each year is how much fun the entire event is! Where else can you meet new people who share a similar passion for the outdoors and youth, hike and be rewarded with an excellent party, great food, and entertainment afterwards?

Hike for Youth has something for everyone, you can choose your level of hike, bring the family, bring the dogs, and new to this year head out for a trail run. What better way to kick off fall then to get outside, breath that fresh mountain air, walk through hills of golden Aspen trees all the while providing youth with new opportunities to do the same.

Hope to see you there!
- Christy Gallese, Program Manager: Conservation

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At the End Of the Program

Now that we are at the end of the program, I have a promising job and steady income flowing. I have learned lots of leadership skills and teamwork skills, and threw out everything else, and have grown as a person. YouthBuild has been a great experience for me and really helped me to get back on my feet and get my life rolling again. I am now able to leave YouthBuild with the skills I need to do the job that I have been assigned.
- Sean Dawson

 

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