1. Our mission is to identify students who face barriers to education and to guide each one on to a successful
path toward continued education, a meaningful career, and productive adulthood
Like YBA on Facebook!! https://www.facebook.com/YouthBuildBayside
Introducing, Our New YBA Logo!!
All YBA students and staff will soon be proudly sporting
this design on their program T-shirts, designed by
lead Vocational Instructor, David Connor, and
produced by Graphic Arts students at the
Long Creek Youth Development Center.
LearningWorks YBA JMG Career Specialist: Carlo Bufano Email: cbufano@jmg.org
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February 2015
Edition
*11 YBA December Graduates
*21 of 25 2014 grads
placed in jobs
*5 received Culinary Arts Certif.
*10 achieved academic gains
*7 received OSHA 10 Cert.
*10 completed 30 hours of
community service
Shopping, Cooking, Serving, Building, and Repairing for YBA Students @ LearningWorks!
The 25 Youth Building Alternatives Students at LearningWorks in Portland this winter have settled
into a steady groove of learning how to prepare for life in their twenties and beyond. This diverse
group of 16-22 year-olds has committed to working toward completion of their HiSET while
participating in hands-on construction skills, pre-apprenticeship (PACT) and Culinary Arts training.
This dynamic blend of work-readiness preparation and independent living skills has been heralded by
many current YBA students as a refreshing change from their past school experiences. One student,
when asked what makes the YBA program special, stated that “the teachers here make learning
interesting, while fun and hands-on at the same time.”
The Culinary Arts Program at YBA has taken a two-pronged approach this winter. Each Thursday
morning, the program partners with “Cooking Matters”, a culinary education project affiliated with
the Good Shepard Food Bank. YBA students head over to the historic St. Louis Church on Danforth
Street where local food critic Susan Axelrod instructs them in kitchen safety, cleanliness, and food
prep. Students also receive sensible shopping tips and nutrition guidance from the partner
instructors. On Fridays, YBA staff also utilize the St. Louis Church kitchen to engage in “Team Battle
Chef”, where small student groups are pitted against each other to shop, follow a specific recipe, and
prepare meals which culminates in a luncheon “taste test” competition. Over the last few weeks,
students have learned how to make parfaits, stir fry, chicken quesadillas, jumbalaya, apple crisps,
and lasagna.
The JMG class at YBA recently has engaged in citizenship development, communication skills, career
exploration, financial independence, and community awareness. Completing income tax returns has
been a hot topic lately in JMG class, and YBA alumni have been utilizing the JMG program for
assistance completing prior returns. JMG students who have expressed interest in child care have
resumed their Friday morning job shadows working with preschoolers at OneTree Learning Center.
The JMG class has also recently distributed RFPs on behalf of the Jumpstart Our Youth JOY Project
where YBA students will be granted $1,000 to donate to a local youth-serving non-profit of their
choosing. Among the candidates the JMG class is considering: The Friends of Long Creek, Preble
Street Resource Center, Regional Transportation Program, and Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital.
YBA Graduates 11 at December Ceremony!
Pictured below are nine of the eleven YBA Winter Graduates at the Rines Auditorium in Portland on
December 12, 2014. These job-ready students completed their GED/HiSET, JMG certification, Culinary
Arts, OSHA 10, PACT, and community service requirements to become part of YBAs alumni
While celebrating completion of their initial “Mental Toughness” period in October,
LearningWorks students are presented with backpacks donated by Northeast Bank through the
efforts of Jill Doherty.
YBA Students demonstrate proper
cutting of veggies during a
“Cooking Matters” course in the
kitchen at St. Louis Church in
January.