Project YouthBuild has been awarded a $150,000 AmeriCorps grant to expand opportunities for young people in Gainesville and throughout Alachua County to participate in community service, develop workforce skills, pursue educational opportunities and prepare for successful careers.
According to a Project YouthBuild press release sent Wednesday, the grant will support Project YouthBuild’s efforts to engage young people in meaningful community service while providing opportunities to strengthen educational attainment, develop leadership skills, gain hands-on experience and build pathways to employment and continued education.
“This grant represents an important investment in young people and in the future of our community,” said Jonathan Leslie, executive director of Project YouthBuild, in the release. “AmeriCorps provides us with an opportunity to connect service, education and workforce development in a way that allows young people to make a meaningful contribution to their community while building the skills and experience they need for their futures.”
Project YouthBuild serves young people seeking pathways to education, career training, employment and greater economic opportunity. Through a combination of education, workforce development, leadership development, community service and hands-on learning, participants gain practical experience while contributing to their communities.
As part of the AmeriCorps initiative, Project YouthBuild will work with community partners to identify meaningful service opportunities that address local needs while providing participants with valuable hands-on learning experiences.
Participants will also have the opportunity to earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used toward postsecondary education or training.
“Service is an important part of the YouthBuild experience,” Leslie said. “Young people at Project YouthBuild aren’t simply preparing for their futures — they are actively contributing to their community today. AmeriCorps gives them another avenue to develop leadership, responsibility, teamwork and career skills while making a positive impact in the community.”
Project YouthBuild anticipates that more than 30 young people will participate in the program during the 2026-27 grant period and contribute approximately 12,000 hours of community service through projects throughout Gainesville and Alachua County.
The AmeriCorps partnership will provide Project YouthBuild participants with additional opportunities to connect classroom learning and workforce preparation with real-world service experiences. Through these experiences, participants will develop skills that can support their transition into employment, post-secondary education, apprenticeship programs and other career pathways.