New York City Council Member Althea Stevens presented a $100,000 check to New Settlement Apartments, which are located in the Mount Eden section of the borough, for enhancements to its YouthBuild program on Friday, Nov. 22.
YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational services for opportunity youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who did not earn a secondary diploma from school.
Notable attendees at the check presentation included YouthBuild Program Director Roman Woodson, New Settlement Executive Director Rigaud Noel and local YouthBuild participants.
During the presentation, Stevens, who also chairs the council’s Committee on Children and Youth, talked about how Bronx youth need different options and pathways to success. She pointed to YouthBuild as being one of these essential pathways.
Woodson discussed just how much of an honor it has been to be able to help youths overcome challenges to achieve an education. Additionally, he said the skills these kids are learning can help them accomplish great things.
Noel said Stevens’ check, funded by taxpayers, reflected her passion and dedication to helping the young people in the Bronx community. He thanked her for providing the community with the opportunity to provide much-needed resources through this donation.
Bronx native and YouthBuild participant Analis Nunez said her mother placed her in the program after she dropped out of school. She said the program has made her feel at home while also providing much-needed assistance.
Another YouthBuild participant, Christopher Williams, 18, talked about coming to the Bronx from Ghana and his mother sending him to YouthBuild. The program has helped shape him into who he is today and given him a vision of what he wants to do in the future.
Both Nunez and Williams expressed their thanks to Stevens for the contribution, which will help those in YouthBuild better themselves.