BY BRIONA MCCALL
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA —
The Opelika Housing Authority (OHA) was awarded a $1.3 million YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor on Friday, April 28, 2023. OHA is the only organization in Alabama to be awarded this year, and it is just one out of 68 programs across the country selected for the highly competitive opportunity.
OHA is an organization that provides affordable housing for the elderly and disabled throughout Lee and Tallapoosa County. YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program. The 8-month-long program provides job training and educational opportunities for youth, ages 18 to 24, who have not completed their high school diploma, except for 10% of those who have secured their diploma.
“The services that are offered through this grant are not specific to only Opelika citizens,” said Executive Director Matthew McClammey. “The services are also available to citizens throughout Lee County. In addition, we’re able to allow 10% of the services to go to the Camp Hill community and Tallapoosa County.”
Participants will go through a two-week orientation period called mental toughness. It will be 60% of education, 40% of construction and 10% of leadership. Leadership includes community service, financial literacy, resume writing, mock interviews and more.
The program is structured like a full-time job because OHA is trying to get them into the work field. Monday through Thursday, classes are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Fridays, classes end at noon. The organization has partners where several local banks will teach financial literacy, and construction training will be provided so the participants can earn a certified construction degree through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). The youth will do hands-on construction work such as rehabbing or building homes for low-income families from the ground up, and they will get a stipend of up to $20 a day and a graduation bonus.
“We ensure that everyone will graduate because we are allowed a certain portion of the grant papers,” said Director of Resident Services Jessica Ford. “We can pay for any type of supportive services you could think of, such as transportation, childcare and counseling. We can break down whatever barriers that are keeping them from completing the program.”
Southern Union State Community College is one of many partners that have helped OHA with YouthBuild.
OHA said it is thankful for its many partners that have committed in-kind service contributions, and its look forward to building more relationships among community agencies and organizations.
“I am excited about the opportunities YouthBuild presents to our youth,” McClammey said. “Without a doubt, YouthBuild will make a difference in the lives of our young people, thus, allowing these young men and women to achieve greater heights and to make a difference in our community.”
OHA YouthBuild is currently recruiting for its first YouthBuild cohort, beginning October 2023. Please visit www.opelikaha.org/youthbuild or call 334-748-9913 for details regarding enrollment.