In response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in health professions, YouthBuild Just-A-Start has committee to broadening its horizons by providing new career training for healthcare related fields. Recently on Wednesday June 6, 2012 YouthBuild Just-A-Start was featured in a YouthBuild USA film screening, "Building Career Opportunities in Healthcare". The film captures current participants and alumni from YouthBuild Just-A-Start as they explore and pursue career pathways withing the health care industry. Developing pathways to health care related careers has been recognized by YouthBuild USA as a best practice for creating promising futures for our young people. While construction training remains a key component of YouthBuild programs, YouthBuild Just-A-Start remains open to an ever changing workforce environment. We are so proud of the YouthBuild Just-A-Start students and look forward to hearing about their future success. Please take a moment to view the short film below.

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As the Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition continues its mission to empower underserved young people through advocacy, resource development, peer evaluation, and support, the students and staff took some time to say thank you in appreciation of public officials who have provided both financial and moral support to YouthBuild programs over the past sixteen years. This was accomplished by landscaping the State House front lawn.

On Wednesday May 23rd, students and staff from six Massachusetts YouthBuild programs gathered to volunteer their service. This group committed to the landscaping project for the fourth consecutive year by planting red and white geranium flowers and impatiens. They also assisted with pruning of tree shrubs and bushes.

During the lunch hour Congressman William Keating, came out to visit with the students. They had a chance to introduce themselves and inform Congressman Keating of what projects they have been working on. To wrap up the day, YouthBuild students made their way into the State House to meet with, among others, Senator Eileen Donoghue of Lowell who has been a strong supporter of YouthBuild.

This was a wonderful experience and there was a great turn out. Members of the State House staff were proud see young people and adult supervisors working together to take care of the property. The students proved that they were ready to be the difference by taking a step forward and making things happen. The work at the State house showed initiative and that our youth care. Keep up the great work!