Casa Verde Builders

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American YouthWorks Austin, Texas
Casa Verde Builders
Si Se Puede!
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Strengthening Families Through a Comprehensive
Powerhouse
Education
Housing
Advocacy
Employment
Health
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Casa Verde Builders VIP Population

• 17 to 26 years old
• Out-of-school young adults who want
• Pathway to college or more - Further
  opportunities
• Passport to personal success - Respect
• Graduates who want environmental skills or
  education award
• Single or partnered parents
• Individuals or families with low incomes
• Many are homeless, on probation or parole
• Student Body
• 55 Latino, 17 African-American and 28
  Caucasian

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American YouthWorks Casa Verde Builders
Education

• First Generation Charter School
• Self-paced and traditional classroom instruction
  Accredited High School Diploma Program
• Self-Paced Computer-Assisted Classes
• GED Preparation
• Service-Learning Leader School
• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Job Shadowing
• Flexible class schedules

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Awards for American YouthWorks and Casa Verde
Builders

• American Youth Policy Forums List of Programs
  in 12 Communities Reconnecting Out-of-School
  Youth, 2006.
• One of Texas 10 Best Reinvented High Schools,
  Texas Education Agency International Center for
  Leadership in Education, 2006.
• Nation Leader School for the YouthBuild USA
  Initiative. 2003.
• President's Service Award, Points of Light
  Foundation, 1999.

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Housing

• Casa Verde Builders has constructed over 90
  energy-efficient, affordable homes for first time
  buyers.

• Affordable housing is the primary need according
  to the 2005 City of Austin City Plan
• Homes are constructed in the area of Austin
  where 85 of the Latino population lives
• The majority of CVB homebuyers are Latino

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Housing

• In 2005, Casa Verde Builders was awarded the
  Gold Medal for Hot Climates from the National
  Association of Home Builders

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Employment from Service

• Members earn a living stipend and are required
  to attend school, advancing to graduation.

• Members also earn an education award. A 12
  month enrollment equals 4,725 toward college,
  trade or technical school.

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Employment Skills

• CVB members learn trade skills through hands-on
  learning
• General construction skills
• Drywall, Roofing, Concrete and foundation pouring
• Green-Building construction techniques
• Job Skills taught
• Punctuality - Cultural Respect
• Personal Responsibility - Leadership
• Dealing with Authority - Teamwork
• Higher Self-Esteem

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Health

• AmeriCorps members receive Health Insurance
• If members choose to, they may add their children
  to the insurance
• All American YouthWorks members have access to
  free or reduced healthcare through the RGK
  Downtown Youth Center for Health through a
  partnership with
• Peoples Community Clinic

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Advocacy through Counseling

• Through counseling, American YouthWorks and Casa
  Verde Builders works to end family violence and
  self-destructive behaviors.
• Members receive
• On site weekly rap sessions for crews
• Individual Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Case Management
• Access to necessary social services
• Food Bank
• Transportation to healthcare and social services
  appointments
• Our goal is to build strong individuals,
  families, neighborhoods and communities.
• American YouthWorks will do whatever it takes.

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Advocacy

• Our staff advocates for progressive, fair and
  equal treatment in culture and society.
• AYW encourages members to participate in
  national, state and local resources.
• AYW advocates for exemplary investment in youth,
  especially dropouts, homeless and offenders.
• AYW has participated in landmark legislative
  studies and initiatives.

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Focus on Family
Advocacy

• For the participants with children, stipends for
  child care are provided.
• This includes children who are cared for by a
  family member
• AYW is looking for ways to break the generational
  cycles of low performance, abuse poverty and
  other obstacles.
• Celebrate cultural and family strengths for
  stronger parental and child success.

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Career CounselingFinding a Path to Passion
Advocacy

• Job readiness training
• Job-seeking assistance
• Career preparation
• Resume creation
• Internships
• Job placement assistance

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Building a Better Community

• Participants improve the Austin Community
• Instilling Civic Responsibility and sense of
  belonging
• Increased tax revenue (500,000 in improvements)
• Help fill the need for affordable homes
• Better trained workforce to earn a livable wage
• Reduce drop-out rates
• Reduce recidivism
• Volunteering

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Casa Verde Builders Neighborhood Renewal

• Increased Safety
• Reduction in drive-by shootings, prostitution and
  drug dealing on corners
• Increased Neighborhood Communication
• Creation of Lincoln Gardens Homeowners
  Association
• Installation of Community Services
• Sidewalks, streetlights and paved streets
• Eliminated graffiti, litter and dangerous traffic
• Teen House
• Reduce homelessness

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Results

• 80 of participants advance one grade level or
  one construction certificate level
• 80 attain their high school diploma or GED
• 80 complete their term of service
• 80 obtain jobs paying a living wage
• 3 to 5 homes constructed annually
• 545,000 Increase in property value to East
  Austin

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American YouthWorks Casa Verde Builders Program

• Contact
• Richard Halpin, Founder/CEO
• rhalpin_at_americanyouthworks.org
• Denise Meikel, Deputy CEO
• dmeikel_at_americanyouthworks.org
• [phone]
• www.americanyouthworks.org