Remarks: Youthbuild Conference of Young Leaders

REMARKS: YOUTHBUILD CONFERENCE OF YOUNG LEADERS

Thank you all so much for inviting me to join you today. I have long appreciated the work that YouthBuild does and have long admired students like you for your participation in this program. There are a few students here today from Ohio, whom I want to make sure I mention. I understand that we have here today Dean Groves from Washington Courthouse, Christen Lamarr Davidson and Latrieka Carter Keyes from Akron, and Rick Vest and Malachi Russell from Columbus -- all of whom are here with Gil Barno, the Executive Director of YouthBuild in Columbus. I am so glad that you all could be here today.

YouthBuild is just such a great program. Through YouthBuild programs, 47,000 young people, like all of you here today, have produced over 13,000 units of affordable housing. That is a truly impressive number and really speaks to the hard work and dedication that you have to the professions you are learning.

YouthBuild is a program that works. It works because students get a real chance at an education -- a chance to learn skills for work and are taught about service to the greater community, as well. The best part is that it is done in a supportive mini-community where you can get a chance to be around other students and where you are mentored by adults who care very much about your future.

Unfortunately, in 2004, these programs turned away 10,000 young people due solely to lack of funds. There are now 226 YouthBuild programs in 44 states, including fourteen in Ohio. These programs currently engage about 7,000 young adults, like you. This number could be easily expanded and this year, as in years past, I have submitted a letter of support for this program asking for increased federal money to go to YouthBuild.

Again, I want to thank the students who are here today for your hard work in this program. You are doing a great job!

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