TRA YouthBuild Worcester Graduation

As students finish final exams, projects, and papers to end the school year many are also preparing for graduation. On Thursday June 21st TRA YouthBuild graduated ten students’ ages 17-24 in Mechanics Hall located at 321 Main Street. Each student walked across the stage to be honored and receive their diploma. Graduating class of 2012 included: Ethan Allen, Courtney Farrar, Obadiah Horton, Kyle Kozlowski, Justin Lacombe, Kerwine Laroque, Marques Laura, Randy Marines, Terrell Taylor, and Joel
Ventura all of Worcester Massachusetts.

According to Training Resources of America key note speaker Representative James O’Day was humbled to be asked by Program Manager Robin Hooper to speak at the Worcester YouthBuild Ceremony. Representative James O’Day said that, “Worcester YouthBuild has become an incredible asset to the Worcester Community in that it has provided young people with guidance and direction toward success, while simultaneously improving the quality of life in some of Worcester’s most distressed neighborhoods. Through engaging young people in their community, YouthBuild has established life- long partnerships between the local organizations and the next generation of professionals. I am incredibly proud of these young people and their accomplishments.”

Robin Hooper, Manager of TRA Worcester YouthBuild, shared with us that YouthBuild students receive instruction in GED preparation, self-esteem, life, leadership and work readiness skills, community service opportunities, and construction skill training, utilizing a community housing rehab or new construction project which helps create quality low-income housing in Worcester. She says that extensive support services include counseling/case management, job development/placement assistance, as well as transition to higher education and follow up service.

As graduate Marques Laura says, “I have a dream or maybe more like a goal, to better my life and accomplish something in my kid’s eyes by providing for them in the right way. Without Worcester YouthBuild I would be doing nothing and moving in the same circles that would eventually lead to my own self-destruction”. It is so wonderful to know that students have been equipped with the tools and skills they need to become successful working professionals. As a Coalition of ten YouthBuild programs,
we congratulate the accomplishments of all the graduates and are confident you will go forth and continue to be representatives for future generations to come.