Meridian Youth Build Program Updated

Press Release: MHA AWARDED $1.5 MILLION YOUTH BUILD GRANT

Purpose:  Research shows that youth violence in communities across the nation are impacted tremendously by “disadvantaged” and “high risk” youth between the ages of 16 to 24.

So, proven community intervention strategies such as the “Meridian Youth Build concept”, include the (1) provision of job training and (2) youth employment opportunities both of which are fundamental to the Meridian Housing Authority’s Youth Build program

The overarching goal of the Meridian Youth Build program is to provide “disadvantaged” and low-income youth with the opportunity to obtain education and employment skills in local in-demand” and “high demand” jobs to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

The Meridian Youth Build program has been specifically designed to achieve the following goals:

1. Recruit and enroll (84) qualified participants in the program
   1. The Meridian Youth Build program will: foster the development of leadership skills and a commitment to community improvement among youth in low-income communities throughout the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County.
   2. Enable all qualified participants t further their education and training. Our program will provide counseling and assistance in obtaining post-secondary education and/or employment and training placements that will allow all participants to continue their education and training.
2. The mission of the Meridian Housing Authority is to provide decent, safe and affordable housing opportunity to eligible participants. The Youth Build program will assist MHA in its mission by:
   1. Assisting MHA in expanding and renovating the supply of permanent affordable housing and to decrease the number of homeless individuals and families here in Meridian and Lauderdale County.
   2. Youth Build participants will be involved in the construction of a 3-bedroom house from start to completion, learning value trades such as: carpentry, plumbing, landscaping, electrical operations, etc.  Participants will also gain valuable experience wile renovating vacant dwelling structures throughout the city.
   3. The Youth Build program places youth and disadvantaged participants in a position to receive “opportunities” to see “tangible” and “positive” results for their efforts.
3. Each participant will qualify for to receive an $18,000 stipend while they navigate through the program.Currently there are over 35 local community stakeholders who will be joining MHA’s (See List) including:The City of Meridian (2) Meridian Community College (3) WIN Job Center (4) Boys and Girls Club (5) Carter Foundation (6) Meridian Public School District (7) Lauderdale County Youth Court (8) Mississippi State University (9) Faith Based Community including Mt. Olive Baptist Church and others.

The Four Month Planning Period from May 2022 to August 2022 will allow:

1. Review the Meridian Youth Build program structure
2. Continue to identify target areas for outreach and continue to develop the community recruitment plan
3. Re confirm all program work sites
4. Develop all contractual agreements and memorandums of understanding with community partners and potential service providers.
5. Develop and launch Youth Build advertising campaign to the community.
6. Finalize Youth Build program policies and procedures.
7. Begin case management with 84 participants.
8. Orientate participants in the Youth Build program discussing: (1) educational (2) occupational (3) vocational and (4) apprenticeship components.
9. Participant enrollment into Basic Skills GED education.
10. Full program implementation September 1, 2022.

For more information call (601) 693-4285

2021 Youth Build Program Partnerships