This document summarizes the construction of an energy efficient home on Long Island using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) with the involvement of YouthBuild students. The home was originally intended as a learning project but expanded with donations of labor and materials to incorporate additional energy efficiency and renewable energy features. It had the lowest air leakage ever seen on a blower door test. YouthBuild students gained experience in ICF construction and the home served as a long-term training site for various groups.

1. 14 N HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 N 15
Energy Efficient Insulated
Concrete Form Construction
Project, Brentwood, LI
To prove the point thatYouthBuild students are on
the cutting edge, a highly energy efficient home in
Brentwood, NewYork was constructed with the aid of
YouthBuild students utilizing insulated concrete forms
(ICFs). After pouring footings, in a Lego®
-like manner,
segments of the wall system were assembled to a
pre-described height to define the basement’s ground
level and concrete was pumped into the forms. The
second story was then assembled. Later these ICFs
were filled with cement. The basement floor was also
poured at this time.
By the nature of the product and the use of
interconnecting rebar, multiple stories can be added to
the original pour. Framing of spaces for doors and
windows was done as
the job progressed. The
home was originally
intended to be a learning
project house for
YouthBuild students but
a meeting with United
Way’s Rick Wertheim and
Mark Gunthner of Paul
Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Long Island took the
project to a much higher level. Gunthner proposed
building a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) 95-rated
house using ICF envelope technologies and other
energy efficiency and renewable energy components.
When Wertheim’s budget did not allow for these
improvements, Gunthner’s Paul Davis Company and
another of his companies, Home Performance
Technologies, owned by Gunthner and Huntington
architect Pete Smith, stepped up to the plate with
donations of over $40,000 in labor and materials including
many upgrades (decorative
columns, stone facade,
landscaping, construction
supervision, and professional
videography services). A
solar photovoltaic system
was also installed at
reduced cost. This opened a
floodgate of further donations.
Green Depot donated 50 percent of the cost of the ICF
panels ($7,000); North East RadiantTechnology, Inc.
supplied the radiant flooring subpanels ($8,000) while
Energy Master Environmental Solutions provided blown
in cellulose and air sealing (value $2,500). The land
for the home was donated by theTown of Islip
Community Development Agency.
United Way’s community partners and local
businesses working on this project included VCrete
Construction Corp.; Deer Park Sand & Gravel Ready
Mix Concrete; Pete Smith, AIA Architect; Long Island
Carpenters Union Local 7; Silicon Solar; Green
Building Depot (Giancarlo Porto); Amvick Insulated
Concrete Forms; North East RadiantTechnologies;
A far cry from the conventional stick building construction that was originally
planned for this home, insulated concrete forms dramatically changed the build.
Home PerformanceTechnologies; Energy Master Energy
Solutions; and Michael Fairchild Video Productions.
The construction of this home was elongated over
two years so that the job site could be used as a
training center for many participants. These included
members of United Way, labor unions, East Islip High
School Green Career Academy students,YouthBuild
students, and others. Just how well was this home
built? When Steve Couville, a senior trainer for
Conservation Services Group (CSG) brought his BPI
training class to demonstrate blower door testing, he
declared that this house had the lowest air leakage
he had ever seen.
Removing a section of the ICF wall where a window will be framed and installed.
ICFs are braced temporarily until cement is poured, then removed..
After ICFs are in place, cement is pumped into the form’s cavity.
Dedicated January 20, 2011

2. 14 N HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 N 15
Energy Efficient Insulated
Concrete Form Construction
Project, Brentwood, LI
To prove the point thatYouthBuild students are on
the cutting edge, a highly energy efficient home in
Brentwood, NewYork was constructed with the aid of
YouthBuild students utilizing insulated concrete forms
(ICFs). After pouring footings, in a Lego®
-like manner,
segments of the wall system were assembled to a
pre-described height to define the basement’s ground
level and concrete was pumped into the forms. The
second story was then assembled. Later these ICFs
were filled with cement. The basement floor was also
poured at this time.
By the nature of the product and the use of
interconnecting rebar, multiple stories can be added to
the original pour. Framing of spaces for doors and
windows was done as
the job progressed. The
home was originally
intended to be a learning
project house for
YouthBuild students but
a meeting with United
Way’s Rick Wertheim and
Mark Gunthner of Paul
Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Long Island took the
project to a much higher level. Gunthner proposed
building a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) 95-rated
house using ICF envelope technologies and other
energy efficiency and renewable energy components.
When Wertheim’s budget did not allow for these
improvements, Gunthner’s Paul Davis Company and
another of his companies, Home Performance
Technologies, owned by Gunthner and Huntington
architect Pete Smith, stepped up to the plate with
donations of over $40,000 in labor and materials including
many upgrades (decorative
columns, stone facade,
landscaping, construction
supervision, and professional
videography services). A
solar photovoltaic system
was also installed at
reduced cost. This opened a
floodgate of further donations.
Green Depot donated 50 percent of the cost of the ICF
panels ($7,000); North East RadiantTechnology, Inc.
supplied the radiant flooring subpanels ($8,000) while
Energy Master Environmental Solutions provided blown
in cellulose and air sealing (value $2,500). The land
for the home was donated by theTown of Islip
Community Development Agency.
United Way’s community partners and local
businesses working on this project included VCrete
Construction Corp.; Deer Park Sand & Gravel Ready
Mix Concrete; Pete Smith, AIA Architect; Long Island
Carpenters Union Local 7; Silicon Solar; Green
Building Depot (Giancarlo Porto); Amvick Insulated
Concrete Forms; North East RadiantTechnologies;
A far cry from the conventional stick building construction that was originally
planned for this home, insulated concrete forms dramatically changed the build.
Home PerformanceTechnologies; Energy Master Energy
Solutions; and Michael Fairchild Video Productions.
The construction of this home was elongated over
two years so that the job site could be used as a
training center for many participants. These included
members of United Way, labor unions, East Islip High
School Green Career Academy students,YouthBuild
students, and others. Just how well was this home
built? When Steve Couville, a senior trainer for
Conservation Services Group (CSG) brought his BPI
training class to demonstrate blower door testing, he
declared that this house had the lowest air leakage
he had ever seen.
Removing a section of the ICF wall where a window will be framed and installed.
ICFs are braced temporarily until cement is poured, then removed..
After ICFs are in place, cement is pumped into the form’s cavity.
Dedicated January 20, 2011

4. LI CAREER CENTER OPENS IN DEER PARKLI CAREER CENTER OPENS IN DEER PARK
HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 N 11
techniques, as well as high efficiency heating, cooling,
and ventilation systems. Students also learn voice/data
cabling and structured wiring, CAD, advanced home
automation, and energy auditing. Some of the training
stations include the building’s multi-zoned radiant heat
system, a complete blower door set up, computer training,
a geothermal hybrid hot water heater, and more. There
is a large area devoted to learning the techniques and
knowledge relating to blown in cellulose and open and
closed cell spray foam. Also in the building are fully
equipped classrooms and computer workstations where
basic education and construction skills are taught. But
there is so much more to the program. YouthBuild’s
daily regime includes everything from calisthenics to
concepts of calculus. But it is the heavy dose of nurturing
and camaraderie among the students, some perhaps
outcasts elsewhere, that make this house a home.
The program begins with a two week academic
orientation followed by a kind of boot camp that stretches
both the bodies and minds of the incoming class. At the
end of the 5 day interrelationship, the students have
become more trusting of each other and accept the fact
that no matter where they are coming from, together
they will go further.
An important part of YouthBuild Long Island is
leadership development. As stated in their Long Island
eNewsletter, “As part of YouthBuild Long Island’s
curriculum, students work daily on leadership development
skills that will not only help them towards meeting their
career goals, but that will help them in their personal
growth as individuals. Students learn to advocate for
issues that concern them and their communities and to
take responsibility for themselves and their families.
They engage in enrichment activities, lectures, workshops,
team-building exercises, and community events.”
Recent workshop
presenters have
included
motivational
speaker and
community
organizer Marvin
Smith; motivational
speaker Jonathan
Powell; Christine Brown from Long Island Cares who
presented a workshop on Stress Management and
Communication; and Simone Wilson, from National
Employee Assistance Providers, Inc., who spoke on
sexual harassment.
As an example of success, YouthBuild Long Island’s
recent student of the month, Kevin Sanchez, 20, from
Central Islip, looks forward to earning his General
Equivalency Diploma (GED) and plans to pursue a
career in law enforcement. Quotes Sanchez, “I like being
around friends that are striving for the same things at
YouthBuild. YouthBuild has changed my life by helping
me be positive about myself, more outgoing, and able to
speak my mind.” Other achievements by YouthBuild
Long Island class of 2010 students are notable. Central
10 N HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011
CoverStoryUNITED WAY OF LONG ISLAND’S YOUTHBUILDUNITED WAY OF LONG ISLAND’S YOUTHBUILD
A
t first blush, you’d think YouthBuild Long
Island might be a failure. That is, if you’d
even heard of YouthBuild, United Way’s
national hands-on educational and training program
that is built around the construction trades. On Long
Island, it features a curriculum developed by United
Way of Long Island’s Senior Vice President of
Housing & Green Development, Rick Wertheim,
and a most supportive staff.
So why after training in so many aspects of the
construction industry during full time school days
from 9 to 3 and beyond for a period of 10 months,
do only 25 percent actually stay in the construction
business per se? The answer, happily so, is that the
other 75 percent take the leadership development
aspect of the program to higher plateaus. Many return
to higher education while others, their lives turned
around and most brimming with confidence, have
entered the workforce in many other industries based
upon a very solid footing courtesy of United Way.
What YouthBuild does is recruit members of the
community who are less academically inclined and
whose past history could be less than stellar. Many
students have found themselves in trouble in a variety
of ways but all come to YouthBuild Long Island
willingly with the hope that this program will
change their lives. And it does.
Enjoying funding from several sources, including
dollars from utility professional Bob Cattel’s
foundation and federal money aided by the efforts
of Congressman Steve Israel, underserved young
adults, male and female from the ages of 18 to 24
who haven’t been very successful to date find new
hope in a brand new facility that has just been
dedicated to teach state of the art building trades and
operation of various equipment and systems found
in today’s green and energy efficient construction.
The new, multi-story, 5,000 square foot building,
United Way’s Green Construction Training Lab, also
known as United Way’s E3
(Energy/Efficiency/
Education) Career Training Center , is located at 10
Dunton Avenue in Deer Park. It was refurbished in
a way that hands-on construction and operation of
new technology can be explained and mastered.
The facility features several training stations where
students practice and learn green building techniques,
energy efficiency, weatherization, renewables,
advanced framing, air sealing, and advanced insulation
article by John Rigrod
Congressman Steve Israel at United Way’s YouthBuild E3
(Energy/Efficiency/Education) Career Training Center in Deer Park, LI. Second from left,
YouthBuild graduate and congressional intern Shelton Thomas, Congressman Israel. Right, Theresa Regnante, United Way of Long Island President and CEO.
Various training stations at the E3
Training Center include areas for insulation,
blower door testing, radiant heating (shown pre-construction), geothermal, and
more. Artist’s rendering shows additional work training stations to be built.
Mark Gunthner, President of Home Performance Technologies, and United Way/
YouthBuild Long Island’s Rick Wertheim with some of YouthBuild LI’s major
sponsors and partners, Vincent Mentar, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Robert Catell,
utility professional, Ed Mangano, Nassau County Executive. At right, Michael
Cooney, Senior VP Resource Development, United Way of LI.
“I like being around friends that are
striving for the same things at
YouthBuild.
“YouthBuild has changed my life by
helping me be positive about myself,
more outgoing, and able to speak
my mind.”

5. LI CAREER CENTER OPENS IN DEER PARKLI CAREER CENTER OPENS IN DEER PARK
HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 N 11
techniques, as well as high efficiency heating, cooling,
and ventilation systems. Students also learn voice/data
cabling and structured wiring, CAD, advanced home
automation, and energy auditing. Some of the training
stations include the building’s multi-zoned radiant heat
system, a complete blower door set up, computer training,
a geothermal hybrid hot water heater, and more. There
is a large area devoted to learning the techniques and
knowledge relating to blown in cellulose and open and
closed cell spray foam. Also in the building are fully
equipped classrooms and computer workstations where
basic education and construction skills are taught. But
there is so much more to the program. YouthBuild’s
daily regime includes everything from calisthenics to
concepts of calculus. But it is the heavy dose of nurturing
and camaraderie among the students, some perhaps
outcasts elsewhere, that make this house a home.
The program begins with a two week academic
orientation followed by a kind of boot camp that stretches
both the bodies and minds of the incoming class. At the
end of the 5 day interrelationship, the students have
become more trusting of each other and accept the fact
that no matter where they are coming from, together
they will go further.
An important part of YouthBuild Long Island is
leadership development. As stated in their Long Island
eNewsletter, “As part of YouthBuild Long Island’s
curriculum, students work daily on leadership development
skills that will not only help them towards meeting their
career goals, but that will help them in their personal
growth as individuals. Students learn to advocate for
issues that concern them and their communities and to
take responsibility for themselves and their families.
They engage in enrichment activities, lectures, workshops,
team-building exercises, and community events.”
Recent workshop
presenters have
included
motivational
speaker and
community
organizer Marvin
Smith; motivational
speaker Jonathan
Powell; Christine Brown from Long Island Cares who
presented a workshop on Stress Management and
Communication; and Simone Wilson, from National
Employee Assistance Providers, Inc., who spoke on
sexual harassment.
As an example of success, YouthBuild Long Island’s
recent student of the month, Kevin Sanchez, 20, from
Central Islip, looks forward to earning his General
Equivalency Diploma (GED) and plans to pursue a
career in law enforcement. Quotes Sanchez, “I like being
around friends that are striving for the same things at
YouthBuild. YouthBuild has changed my life by helping
me be positive about myself, more outgoing, and able to
speak my mind.” Other achievements by YouthBuild
Long Island class of 2010 students are notable. Central
10 N HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011
CoverStoryUNITED WAY OF LONG ISLAND’S YOUTHBUILDUNITED WAY OF LONG ISLAND’S YOUTHBUILD
A
t first blush, you’d think YouthBuild Long
Island might be a failure. That is, if you’d
even heard of YouthBuild, United Way’s
national hands-on educational and training program
that is built around the construction trades. On Long
Island, it features a curriculum developed by United
Way of Long Island’s Senior Vice President of
Housing & Green Development, Rick Wertheim,
and a most supportive staff.
So why after training in so many aspects of the
construction industry during full time school days
from 9 to 3 and beyond for a period of 10 months,
do only 25 percent actually stay in the construction
business per se? The answer, happily so, is that the
other 75 percent take the leadership development
aspect of the program to higher plateaus. Many return
to higher education while others, their lives turned
around and most brimming with confidence, have
entered the workforce in many other industries based
upon a very solid footing courtesy of United Way.
What YouthBuild does is recruit members of the
community who are less academically inclined and
whose past history could be less than stellar. Many
students have found themselves in trouble in a variety
of ways but all come to YouthBuild Long Island
willingly with the hope that this program will
change their lives. And it does.
Enjoying funding from several sources, including
dollars from utility professional Bob Cattel’s
foundation and federal money aided by the efforts
of Congressman Steve Israel, underserved young
adults, male and female from the ages of 18 to 24
who haven’t been very successful to date find new
hope in a brand new facility that has just been
dedicated to teach state of the art building trades and
operation of various equipment and systems found
in today’s green and energy efficient construction.
The new, multi-story, 5,000 square foot building,
United Way’s Green Construction Training Lab, also
known as United Way’s E3
(Energy/Efficiency/
Education) Career Training Center , is located at 10
Dunton Avenue in Deer Park. It was refurbished in
a way that hands-on construction and operation of
new technology can be explained and mastered.
The facility features several training stations where
students practice and learn green building techniques,
energy efficiency, weatherization, renewables,
advanced framing, air sealing, and advanced insulation
article by John Rigrod
Congressman Steve Israel at United Way’s YouthBuild E3
(Energy/Efficiency/Education) Career Training Center in Deer Park, LI. Second from left,
YouthBuild graduate and congressional intern Shelton Thomas, Congressman Israel. Right, Theresa Regnante, United Way of Long Island President and CEO.
Various training stations at the E3
Training Center include areas for insulation,
blower door testing, radiant heating (shown pre-construction), geothermal, and
more. Artist’s rendering shows additional work training stations to be built.
United Way/YouthBuild Long Island’s Rick Wertheim with some of YouthBuild
LI’s major sponsors and partners, Vincent Mentar, JPMorgan Chase & Co.;
Robert Catell, utility professional, Ed Mangano, Nassau County Executive. At
right, Michael Cooney, Senior VP Resource Development, United Way of LI.
“I like being around friends that are
striving for the same things at
YouthBuild.
“YouthBuild has changed my life by
helping me be positive about myself,
more outgoing, and able to speak
my mind.”

6. HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 N 13
broken windows, and/or exterior doors,
addition of insulation to walls or ceilings,
and mitigation of health and safety
concerns to assure that all dwelling
units receive smoke detectors, carbon
monoxide detectors, etc.
YouthBuild Long Island supporters
are many beyond Catell and Israel (who
has obtained nearly $1.7 million for
YouthBuild Green Jobs programs).
Long Island sponsors and partners also
include J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (a founding sponsor),
the U.S. Department of Labor, Byron T. and Ruth D.
Miller Scholarship Fund, Citizens Bank, Citi, The Home
Depot, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., National Grid,
Office of Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice,
Royal Star Associates, TD Bank, United Way of Tri-State,
NY Community Bank Foundation, Stephan Schector,
Ronnie Renken, and Walmart Foundation. Partners
include the Education and Assistance Corp. (EAC),
Family Service League, Empire State Carpenters Local 7,
Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee,
Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Suffolk County
Department of Labor, Suffolk County Community College,
Town of Babylon, Town of Islip, and Village of Hempstead.
Judging the impact upon YouthBuild Long Island students,
their academic and behaviorial maturation, and their varied
career paths, the program is quite a success. With the
addition of United Way’s new E3
Training Center, it is
expected that many more graduates will enter not only the
building trades, especially energy and weatherization,
but will use their newly-acquired academic, social, and
leadership skills at home and in business throughout
their lives. I
12 N HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011
Islip resident and Policy Committee President, Shelton
Thomas, 24, was invited to be an intern at the office of
Congressman Steve Israel. “Shelton is proof that
YouthBuild Long Island works”, said Israel. “Through
the training Shelton received at YouthBuild, he has not
only furthered his education and secured a job, but he is
now prepared to enter a new green workforce needed to
meet Long Island’s growing energy sector. During his
time interning at my office, he has become outspoken,
confident, and eager to learn… I feel fortunate to have
met Shelton and to have been part of his experience.”
Mr. Thomas received this year’s Leadership Award
presented to the student who has acted as a role model by
promoting positive morale, investing time and effort into
supporting others, building relationships, and actively
working to encourage community change.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice selected
Uniondale resident Tosue Gibson, 20, for an internship at
her office. He was the only freshman selected from more
than 50 undergraduate applicants to Nassau County’s
summer intern program. Gibson is currently enrolled in
the Criminal Justice Program at Nassau County
Community College. And pursuing and achieving a
Certified Nursing Assistant certification is Cassandra
Meade, 21, of Wyandanch, who received her NYS
Certified Nursing Assistant license through the Long
Island Educational Opportunity Center of Farmingdale
State College. Ms. Meade plans to continue her nursing
education to become a
registered nurse. All the
above students and many
more credit their various
turnarounds and path to
maturation to United Way’s
YouthBuild program.
Well beyond the
structure located in Deer
Park, YouthBuild students
take part in many
extracurricular activities
including functions held
by the Advancement for
Commerce, Industry, and
Technology (ACIT) and by
interacting with many local
community associations.
They also have traveled to
the state capital in Albany
to visit with state officials
and are interactive with
many town governments
including Babylon, well
known for its green construction efforts and innovations.
Back to the basics, YouthBuild students, along with
construction/green building trainers, program partners,
and contractors built a state of the art, sustainable living
residence in Brentwood, Long Island which has been
deemed one of the most energy efficient homes ever built
in New York State. Reducing energy use by 50 percent
has made the building affordable and sustainable. Prior
to construction of this building were countless hours in
the classroom and in the
hands-on workshops held at
YouthBuild’s new training
center.
Under a $3 million grant
from the New York State
Division of Housing and
Community Renewal
(DHCR), United Way of
Long Island is providing
modifications to special
needs and group housing
units in Nassau and Suffolk
counties which will save
owners and operators of
these residences thousands
of dollars in energy costs
over the years. Recently, United Way of Long Island
selected four leading YouthBuild students to be hired as
team employees who will work to provide eligible
homeowners with measures to improve energy efficiency
including an energy audit of the home to identify specific
needs, weatherstripping and caulking around doors and
windows, cleaning, testing, repairs, or replacement of
heating systems, replacement or repair of storm windows,
New, highly energy efficient residence constructed by YouthBuild LI students on property donated by the Town of Islip Community
Development Agency. The home, made available via the Town’s affordable housing lottery, will reduce net energy use by nearly 50 percent.
Nassau County District Attorney,
Kathleen Rice with her office’s student
intern, YouthBuild LI’s Tosue Gibson.
New YouthBuild Long Island students’ program begins with a five day Mental Toughness orientation.
National Grid Senior Program Manager, Robert Allgor, CEMUnited Way of Long Island Senior Vice President
Housing & Green Development, Rick Wertheim
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy visiting with YouthBuild LI students at E3
Center.
Cassandra Meade,
NYS Certified
Nursing Assistant
YouthBuild LI Construction Supervisor and
Construction Trainer, Robert Liptak
YouthBuild Long Island sponsor Ruth Dobrin Miller, Byron T. & Ruth D. Miller
Scholarship Fund; Elizabeth Morgan,YouthBuild Long Island Director.
YouthBuild LI students with Town of Babylon Supervisor
Steve Bellone at Green Up! Conference.
YouthBuild Long Island is a free youth and community development program
that simultaneously addresses core issues facing low-income communities:
housing, education, employment, crime prevention, and leadership development.
In YouthBuild programs, low income young people ages 18 to 24 work towards
their GEDs or high school diplomas while learning job skills by building affordable
Green housing for homeless and low-income people and participating in leadership
development activities in their communities. A strong focus is placed on Green
collar job opportunities in Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Weatherization, Energy
Star construction, and Home Performance.

7. HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011 N 13
broken windows, and/or exterior doors,
addition of insulation to walls or ceilings,
and mitigation of health and safety
concerns to assure that all dwelling
units receive smoke detectors, carbon
monoxide detectors, etc.
YouthBuild Long Island supporters
are many beyond Catell and Israel (who
has obtained nearly $1.7 million for
YouthBuild Green Jobs programs).
Long Island sponsors and partners also
include J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (a founding sponsor),
the U.S. Department of Labor, Byron T. and Ruth D.
Miller Scholarship Fund, Citizens Bank, Citi, The Home
Depot, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., National Grid,
Office of Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice,
Royal Star Associates, TD Bank, United Way of Tri-State,
NY Community Bank Foundation, Stephan Schector,
Ronnie Renken, and Walmart Foundation. Partners
include the Education and Assistance Corp. (EAC),
Family Service League, Empire State Carpenters Local 7,
Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee,
Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Suffolk County
Department of Labor, Suffolk County Community College,
Town of Babylon, Town of Islip, and Village of Hempstead.
Judging the impact upon YouthBuild Long Island students,
their academic and behaviorial maturation, and their varied
career paths, the program is quite a success. With the
addition of United Way’s new E3
Training Center, it is
expected that many more graduates will enter not only the
building trades, especially energy and weatherization,
but will use their newly-acquired academic, social, and
leadership skills at home and in business throughout
their lives. I
12 N HAMMER Magazine, Vol. 16 Nos. 2 & 3 2011
Islip resident and Policy Committee President, Shelton
Thomas, 24, was invited to be an intern at the office of
Congressman Steve Israel. “Shelton is proof that
YouthBuild Long Island works”, said Israel. “Through
the training Shelton received at YouthBuild, he has not
only furthered his education and secured a job, but he is
now prepared to enter a new green workforce needed to
meet Long Island’s growing energy sector. During his
time interning at my office, he has become outspoken,
confident, and eager to learn… I feel fortunate to have
met Shelton and to have been part of his experience.”
Mr. Thomas received this year’s Leadership Award
presented to the student who has acted as a role model by
promoting positive morale, investing time and effort into
supporting others, building relationships, and actively
working to encourage community change.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice selected
Uniondale resident Tosue Gibson, 20, for an internship at
her office. He was the only freshman selected from more
than 50 undergraduate applicants to Nassau County’s
summer intern program. Gibson is currently enrolled in
the Criminal Justice Program at Nassau County
Community College. And pursuing and achieving a
Certified Nursing Assistant certification is Cassandra
Meade, 21, of Wyandanch, who received her NYS
Certified Nursing Assistant license through the Long
Island Educational Opportunity Center of Farmingdale
State College. Ms. Meade plans to continue her nursing
education to become a
registered nurse. All the
above students and many
more credit their various
turnarounds and path to
maturation to United Way’s
YouthBuild program.
Well beyond the
structure located in Deer
Park, YouthBuild students
take part in many
extracurricular activities
including functions held
by the Advancement for
Commerce, Industry, and
Technology (ACIT) and by
interacting with many local
community associations.
They also have traveled to
the state capital in Albany
to visit with state officials
and are interactive with
many town governments
including Babylon, well
known for its green construction efforts and innovations.
Back to the basics, YouthBuild students, along with
construction/green building trainers, program partners,
and contractors built a state of the art, sustainable living
residence in Brentwood, Long Island which has been
deemed one of the most energy efficient homes ever built
in New York State. Reducing energy use by 50 percent
has made the building affordable and sustainable. Prior
to construction of this building were countless hours in
the classroom and in the
hands-on workshops held at
YouthBuild’s new training
center.
Under a $3 million grant
from the New York State
Division of Housing and
Community Renewal
(DHCR), United Way of
Long Island is providing
modifications to special
needs and group housing
units in Nassau and Suffolk
counties which will save
owners and operators of
these residences thousands
of dollars in energy costs
over the years. Recently, United Way of Long Island
selected four leading YouthBuild students to be hired as
team employees who will work to provide eligible
homeowners with measures to improve energy efficiency
including an energy audit of the home to identify specific
needs, weatherstripping and caulking around doors and
windows, cleaning, testing, repairs, or replacement of
heating systems, replacement or repair of storm windows,
New, highly energy efficient residence constructed by YouthBuild LI students on property donated by the Town of Islip Community
Development Agency. The home, made available via the Town’s affordable housing lottery, will reduce net energy use by nearly 50 percent.
Nassau County District Attorney,
Kathleen Rice with her office’s student
intern, YouthBuild LI’s Tosue Gibson.
New YouthBuild Long Island students’ program begins with a five day Mental Toughness orientation.
National Grid Senior Program Manager, Robert Allgor, CEMUnited Way of Long Island Senior Vice President
Housing & Green Development, Rick Wertheim
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy visiting with YouthBuild LI students at E3
Center.
Cassandra Meade,
NYS Certified
Nursing Assistant
YouthBuild LI Construction Supervisor and
Construction Trainer, Robert Liptak
YouthBuild Long Island sponsor Ruth Dobrin Miller, Byron T. & Ruth D. Miller
Scholarship Fund; Elizabeth Morgan,YouthBuild Long Island Director.
YouthBuild LI students with Town of Babylon Supervisor
Steve Bellone at Green Up! Conference.
YouthBuild Long Island is a free youth and community development program
that simultaneously addresses core issues facing low-income communities:
housing, education, employment, crime prevention, and leadership development.
In YouthBuild programs, low income young people ages 18 to 24 work towards
their GEDs or high school diplomas while learning job skills by building affordable
Green housing for homeless and low-income people and participating in leadership
development activities in their communities. A strong focus is placed on Green
collar job opportunities in Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Weatherization, Energy
Star construction, and Home Performance.