And you thought “green-building” was only available to the financially elite of our society…  Until very recently this preconception has led to a yuppie-fied view of the sustainable building industry.   It’s been brought to our attention, by several notable national non-profits, that it’s time to shift the core of this paradigm to the more “transitional” neighborhoods of our nation’s largest cities.  Yes, it’s possible to create sustainability and green structures in all socioeconomic climates!

Lake County Youth Conservation Corps, YouthBuild USA is a non-profit based out of Waukegan, IL that pulls at-risk youth out of there troubled existences, provides them with a nurturing environment in which to complete their GED training, trains them in basic construction, and gives them invaluable leadership skills with which to apply to life.  This is all accomplished while they are focused on completing affordable housing projects for low-income residents of their very own communities.  The beauty of a program like YouthBuild USA lies in the theme that low-income ex-felons are learning a skill set, getting an education, and at the same time building homes for their fellow struggling community members.  There’s nothing that spells out “giving back” more than a program such as this one–it’s a work of cyclical genius!

An even more fascinating point for recognition is the recent “green-build initiative” that is taking place at hundreds of YouthBuild organizations across the nation.  That’s right folks–not only are at-risk youth building homes for their low-income neighbors, they will be building them the green way.  A recent interview with CNN Comcast Newsmakers with YCC YouthBuild Construction Manager, Neil Qusba, explains exactly how the process will work.  

This green-building initiative serves to be the area’s very first green-building housing development, and it will be completed at the hands of some of the communities’ most notorious members!  The completed green-homes will then be sold to low-income residents through a zero-interest loan, or given to a homeless family in the area.  Waukegan’s first green-build will be equipped with hydroponic gardening system, a rain-catching irrigation tank, and will be designed by one of the areas most esteemed architects–pro bono.  

These programs, and programs like them, have gotten government funding in the past, and they need public interest support to sustain themselves.  Perhaps you’d like to pledge to get a YouthBuild in your community, or make a donation to aid the effort. The turn-around due to programs like this is unparalleled.  YouthBuild is teaching our inner city youth to take responsibility for their own environment–provide healthy housing for homeless and low-income residents, and meet incredible goals that were once thought to be impossible.  

The success achieved by YouthBuild USA in providing a chance to youth who’ve been brushed away by our society is unmatched.  They deserve much more than a pat on the back.

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Filed under: Building & Architecture, Green Business, Sustainable Cities