Recruiting is underway for deserving young adults who are interested in taking part in Marion County’s next Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program.
An open house event will kick off the program on Tuesday, January 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Community Building/Ocala Fire Museum located at 615 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Ocala.
The drop-in event is designed to acquaint interested participants, family members, and community partners with Phoenix Rising YouthBuild. Light refreshments will be provided during the open house.
The award-winning program, now in its 13th year, seeks to revitalize economically challenged neighborhoods while making a positive difference in the lives of young adults (ages 18 to 24) who are willing to work, in need of a high school diploma, or those who have a diploma but are below a 9th-grade math/reading level and are interested in employment and/or postsecondary education or training, according to CareerSource CLM.
Those interested in enrolling in the program must attend one of the following orientation sessions:
- Wednesday, January 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday, January 18, from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Thursday, January 18, from 2 p.m. to 4 pm.
- Friday, January 19, from 10 a.m. to noon.
All of the above sessions will be held at the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion career center, which is located at 2703 NE 14th Street in Ocala. Since space is limited, those planning to attend must schedule a session in advance by calling 352-291-9550, ext. 1215 or by texting YB to 352-299-4499.
Through Phoenix Rising YouthBuild, students receive hands-on and classroom training designed to develop workforce skills that lead to employment. A key feature of the program involves construction of Habitat for Humanity of Marion County homes for deserving families.
In 2011, Phoenix Rising was spearheaded by then Ocala Police Chief Sam Williams in collaboration with CareerSource CLM and its youth services provider, Eckerd Connects Workforce Development, along with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County and the City of Ocala.
Additional primary partners include the College of Central Florida (Hampton Center), Equal Housing Opportunity, HBI (Home Builders institute), Impact – An Entrepreneurial Initiative of the CEP presented by Ausley Construction, Marion County Board of County Commissioners, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation, and United Healthcare Community Plan.
Major funding for the Phoenix Rising program comes from a grant obtained by CareerSource CLM from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Current federal funding for YouthBuild is just over $844,700, and the two-year grant covers training for 48 students and construction of four homes, according to CareerSource CLM.
Phoenix Rising YouthBuild has earned recognition from the Florida League of Cities, National League of Cities, and Harvard’s School of Business. In addition, Phoenix Rising has also received the Clarence E. Jordan Award, which is Habitat for Humanity International’s highest honor for creativity and innovation in building homes and communities.
For more information about the Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program, call 352-291-9550, ext. 1215.