Seriously. Does anyone know?
It feels like we were just welcoming a new YouthBuild cohort in January, and somehow we’re already looking toward the final months of the year.
Since our last blog post, life at Project REBUILD has been moving at full speed. We’ve welcomed new YouthBuild cohorts in January and April. We’ve celebrated graduations and certifications.We’ve visited employers, explored college campuses, participated in service projects, spent time mentoring young people, and continued helping participants build the skills and confidence needed for whatever comes next.
Somewhere along the way, we also squeezed in a camping trip.
The camping trip gave participants a chance to step away from their everyday routines, enjoy the outdoors, and build stronger connections with one another. There were plenty of laughs, new experiences, and memories that will stick around long after the tents were packed away.
Then summer arrived, and things somehow got even busier. Participants helped design and build a parade float that represented Project REBUILD in the community. It was one of those projects that combined creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and a little bit of controlled chaos. Seeing our young people proudly represent the organization made all the effort worthwhile.
Of course, we never stopped learning.
This year, participants visited employers and college campuses to explore different career and education pathways. These experiences help young people see what’s possible and make informed decisions about their futures. Sometimes a single visit can spark an interest or open a door that someone never considered before. We’ve also continued investing in mentoring, leadership development, and service to the community. While those activities may not always make headlines, they often have the greatest impact. Growth happens during the conversations, challenges, successes, and everyday moments that help young people discover what they’re capable of achieving.
And then August rolled around.
Because apparently we weren’t busy enough already.
This month, we launched a new six-week Construction Bootcamp. The goal is simple: give young people an opportunity to explore construction careers, learn hands-on skills, build confidence, and figure out what comes next. For some participants, the next step may be enrolling in our full YouthBuild program. Others may move directly into employment, additional training, higher education, or another pathway that aligns with their goals. Success doesn’t look the same for everyone, and that’s okay.
At Project REBUILD, we believe in helping young people find the path that works for them.
So where has this year gone?
It’s gone into classrooms, construction projects, employer tours, college visits, mentoring conversations, community service projects, campfires, parade floats, graduations, certifications, and countless moments of growth that don’t always make it into a photograph.
Although, if we’re being honest, a lot of those moments probably did make it onto Facebook.
If you’ve missed some of the excitement, we invite you to follow us on social media. We regularly share participant accomplishments, program activities, community partnerships, and behind-the-scenes moments that show the incredible things our young people are achieving.
This blog only scratches the surface.
We still have plenty of year left, and if the first eight months are any indication, we’re not slowing down anytime soon.
Stay tuned. There’s more to come.
