GreeningDetroit.com Owner – John Carlos, Director of Administration – Sally Bellanger and Former Piston, # 52, Don Reid took a tour on Monday, May 9, 2011, of the Young Detroit Builders facility @ 1627 W. Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan.
The YDB have been leasing the building but were recently able to purchase it after being on ABC’s hit show Secret Millionaire. The administrative offices are on the top portion of the building and the school and workshop are on the bottom.
Our mission after the tour was just to get to know some of the students and hear from them about the program. Mr. Reid spoke about his years as a student and as a professional basketball player, while Mr. Carlos discussed schooling and owning your own business. It was great to see the many young men and women at the school all striving to better themselves and their lives.
Executive Director, Beverly Manick, staff and the program participants have been rebuilding communities and lives since 1996. As a non-profit organization, YDB has been offering a program of education, support services, counseling, leadership development, job and life skills, on-the-job training and much more.
While we were visiting YDB they were welcoming a new cycle of students. They began their 3 week “Mental Toughness Orientation” on April 18th and finished on May 6th, they now have a 10 month program ahead of them.
GreeingDetroit.com would like to thank Beverly Manick and the Young Detroit Builders for giving us the opportunity to come and meet the amazing staff and students that put their best foot forward everyday.
Click here to be introduced to the Young Detroit Builders
Source: Sally Bellanger, Contributing Writer, GreeningDetroit.com
Photos by: Brittany Smith, Young Detroit Builders