“My first semester, I was just focusing on school full-time,” he said. “I wanted to understand how the business world works because I want to open my own business in the future.”

Then, after living a semester on his own as a full-time student, he was confronted with a sobering reality. One of the conditions of his independent-living community is that he must be working or actively on the job hunt.

After graduating in 2018, Isaiah now works full-time with the USPS where he continues to practice the YouthBuild tenets of leadership, love, dignity, respect, faith, and community wherever he goes. After so many years of feeling lost, Isaiah knows who he is and where he’s headed.

“Living the life I was living,” he said, “I know I’m here for a reason.”

“Construction ignited Shenell’s passion for learning. That passion was always there, but this field allowed her to come alive in ways that traditional school settings couldn’t. She has a bright future, and if she sticks with it, we’ll be hearing a lot about her in construction. I’m sure we’ll hear about her building the next skyscraper in Newark or the next hotel - really making a name for herself.”

About 12 years ago, Melanie embraced the opportunity that YouthBuild Newark offered -- a chance to earn a trade and develop herself as a leader. And from that opportunity, Melanie has built a life for her and her family that’s full of possibilities.

Today, Christian confidently knows his worth, but there was a time in his life when he didn’t know his value. So between stop signs and crosswalks, he makes sure to tell the young people he meets that they have the power to change their community.