UCC YouthBuild Graduates Pave Way Towards Brighter Futures Upon Receiving HS Diplomas
UCC hosted a memorable graduation ceremony for its most recent cohort of students for the YouthBuild program, marking the culmination of dedication, hard work and perseverance as the students received their high school diplomas.
The ceremony, which was held June 28 at Newark Beth Israel Hospital, celebrated the students' exceptional commitment to their education and personal growth, overcoming various challenges to reach this point. The ceremony featured multiple speakers, both from program leaders and community officials, who highlighted the significance of the graduates' successes.
"There are a lot of barriers that life puts in front of us, and oftentimes it is incumbent upon us as individuals to rise above that and decide what we want to do with our lives," said Newark Housing Authority Executive Director Leonard Spicer, who served as the ceremony's keynote speaker. "Each one of you has decided that you did not want to quit. You saw in yourself what you could do, and you made a conscious decision to move forward."
UCC’s YouthBuild program stands at the intersection of education, vocational training and community service, providing a comprehensive approach to empowering young adults. It instills practical skills alongside academic knowledge, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the workforce and contribute meaningfully to their communities. In addition, the program allows young people who need their high school diploma to obtain it while providing pre-apprenticeship training programs in various professions such as construction, medical and dental tech.
UCC's YouthBuild program, in collaboration with its educational partner, Leaders For Life, has been instrumental in providing young individuals with the skills and support necessary to achieve a milestone like the recent graduation. The ceremony at Newark Beth Israel Hospital was a testament to the collective efforts of the students, their families, UCC staff, and community partners. It also highlighted the importance of educational opportunities and community support in shaping the lives of young people.
"We are equipping our young people with sustainable credentials and workforce development training so that they can have equitable lives and earn a livable wage that can be self-sufficient,"
- UCC Youth Education and Employment Services Senior Director Jacqueline Henry
Henry noted that the graduates earned numerous industry-recognized credentials, including but not limited to, National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) certification, OSHA 30, Lead Abatement, First Aid and CPR, Weatherization, and CloroxPro. As UCC continues to provide resources and programming aimed to empower and uplift the greater Newark community, the success of these YouthBuild graduates stands as an example of what can be achieved through dedication, support, and collaboration. Congratulations to the following graduates for their outstanding achievements and best wishes for their future endeavors: Simone Minatee, Kevin Gonzalez, Kaylah LaPread, Ezekiel Ricks-Knight, Armando Fritz, Hailey Ivey
United Community Corporation
"Moving people from dependency to self-sufficiency"