Who We Are
Youthbuild is a community of positive individuals dedicated to changing lives and offering those who qualify a second chance in making a difference in their lives as well as those with whom they are in contact. YouthBuild caters to the personal, social, and academic growth of individuals. YouthBuild programs provide a pathway for young people to continue their education, and be involved in skills training, entrepreneurship, and personal development. The goal is to bring hope and optimize their potential so that they can impact the wider community.
Our Mission
Franklin County Youthbuild is a community of positive individuals who caters to youth who are in pursuit of personal growth, skills development and career exploration. Young people are exposed to mental toughness, personal care management and construction plus, as they seek to bring purpose to their personal lives, the lives of their families and the greater community.
Our Vision
To explore opportunities for youth so that they can pursue lifelong learning where they are self-motivated in their pursuit of knowledge which will lead them to become informed and empowered citizens.
Franklin County Youthbuild
The History
Franklin County YouthBuild is a family environment where staff offers personal counseling and emphasizes positive peer group interactions, leadership training and community service. The organization started in 2004 out of a need to address the needs of underprivileged youths in the Columbus area and its surroundings. The need came out of the high levels of crime and incarcerations in the city and the involvement of young people in these crimes. School drop-out is high and young people need direction.
Franklin County YouthBuild is a family environment where staff offers personal counseling and emphasizes positive peer group interactions, leadership training and community service. The organization started in 2004 out of a need to address the needs of underprivileged youths in the Columbus area and its surroundings. The need came out of the high levels of crime and incarcerations in the city and the involvement of young people in these crimes. School drop-out is high and young people need direction.
Franklin County YouthBuild mirrors YouthBuild USA that was founded by Dorothy Stoneman, a community worker from New York in 1978. The organization was founded in the need to improve the community, by taking back and renovating houses captured by drug dealers. YouthBuild USA extends to the broader youth and community development fields to diminish poverty in the USA and all over the world.
Youth Over Us
Youth Over Us manages the Franklin County YouthBuild Program. The mission is to promote social and educational development of disadvantaged youth and provide support for families with disadvantaged youth.
Programs
- Provide construction training to disadvantaged youth as part of a Department of Labour funded program
- Provide Cash assistance (Stipend) and non-cash assistance such as food aid and school supplies to Youthbuild participants and their families and other families in the area.
- Provide rural summer camp experience for disadvantaged youth.
Target Audience
Franklin County YouthBuild caters to youth between the ages of 18 and 24. We offer GED, High School Diploma, Construction, Construction Plus , Phlebotomy , EKG, and STNA. Students who complete all three of the health care components are awarded a Patient Care Management Certification.
Our Values
- Respect – treating others with politeness, consideration, thoughtfulness, and giving regard to feelings, wishes, rights or traditions of others.
- Loyalty – faithfulness to a cause, adherence to its principles
- Integrity– strong moral principles, honest, trustworthy
- Leadership– having a clear vision, courage and focus with the ability to help others succeed
- Self-motivation – an internal drive that pushes us to achieve, produce, develop and go on
- Empathy – having the ability to understand and share the feelings of others
- Coachable – willingness to listen to feedback, constructive criticism in order to improve.
Our Staff
Mr. Mike Dean, Executive Director/CEO
Mr. Dean has been with the Director of the company since 2009. In 2019 he took over the reigns as Executive Director. He is mandated with the task of managing the assets of the company, optimizing financial operations and providing leadership to all members of staff. He sets the tone of the company by establishing business goals, reporting to the Board of Directors and executing special business projects. He is the main contact with donors, sponsors and other stakeholders. He brings his vision, energy and focus to the company.
Dr. Glenn Walter, Director of Education
Stefan L. Dunn, Program Manager
Mikekela Dean, Case Manager
The Case Manager provides one-on-one support services to at-risk and transition-age youth who are preparing to join the workforce. In doing his job, the Case Manager assesses the basic needs of each participant, identifies barriers to employment, develops an Individual Development Plan to address those barriers and coordinate services to help youth prepare for and secure living-wage jobs with a career path upon completion of the Youth Over Us – YouthBuild Franklin County Program.