The U.S. Department of Labor awarded 114 million dollars this week to 183 Youth Build programs around the country. Mid-Missouris Job Point organization received $700-thousand to assist young people in educational and job training.

We are very, very fortunate and happy and pleased to receive the money, said Gary Taylor, Director of Youth Build in Columbia. A lot of this is due to the stimulus package.    

Job Point launched Columbia Builds Youth in 2003, where students of the program build houses for low-income families in Columbias Ward 1, just north of downtown.

Students spend half of their time in daily educational meetings, and the other half out building houses. Job Points target audience is 16-24 year olds living in Columbia that have dropped out of high school.

The purpose of the program is not necessarily for the individual to go into the construction industry, said Taylor. We have several students slated to take college in the fall.

Job Point is headquartered in Columbia, with locations in Jefferson City, Moberly, Wright City, Sedalia, and Marshall.    

Its a win situation for the youth that we serve, said Taylor. Theyre actually getting hands on training and hands on skills. Its about re-engagement.

Job Points strategy is to build the houses in one specific neighborhood, the McBaine Avenue area. This will hopefully increase the value of everyones home and improve the neighborhood morale. The goal is to integrate the neighborhoods, not segregate them based on income.