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Woman; Hear Me Roar !
When I first heard about YouthBuild Saint Louis / Soulard, I thought it was just another GED program, and I decided I wouldn't waste my time attending. However, when I saw how it positively affected my brother, I thought maybe I should give it a try. I thought all GED programs, including YouthBuild, required their students to come to class, work independently, and leave. I knew that I didn't work well independently; I needed extra help. I thought, "What is the point of me trying when the program is structured in such a way that it won't work for me."
Before my brother started YouthBuild, he did nothing but sit in his room; he was a heavy weed smoker, and he wasn't very interested in anything that had to do with school. It was as if he had become bored with life. One day he got up and joined YouthBuild. About a month into the program, I noticed the positive changes he began to make. Over time his whole personality changed. He stopped smoking pot, and he started to come out of his room. He became more open with the family. He spoke very highly of YouthBuild and shared how glad he was that he had started it. He told me about the trips he participated in. For example, he went to the Y.M.C.A. Resort of the Ozarks for a retreat and stayed several days; I never stopped hearing about that trip. He also discussed his trip to Washington, D.C. and the chance to meet the President. As I heard about the trips, I knew I had to go; I had to give YouthBuild a try.
From the first day I joined YouthBuild, my expectations were very high. My determination made it easier for me to jump right in, and I remained determined to stick with the program. I learned so many skills that I never thought I could master. I learned how to hang dry wall, to put up a fence, and to paint.
I remember a time when my work site supervisors told me to paint the interior of a closet. He gave me two kinds of paint, flat and semi-gloss. I looked at him and said, "Are you gonna leave me to do this myself?" He said "Yes." I thought, "Well, if he can trust me to do this job, I better do my best." I painted the walls with the semi-gloss paint and the trim with the flat paint. When my supervisor returned he had a "Cow"-- he was very mad. I just stood there looking crazy, but from that experience I learned how to paint. It turned out that the flat paint was for the walls and the semi-gloss was for the trim. From experiences like this I learned how to work independently and to be independent. I realized that I didn't need a person to stand beside me and take me through every job in my life step by step.
And what was the result of acquiring these new skills? Increased self esteem. Today I believe that I can do almost anything if I put my mind to it and stick with it. I feel that I have become a better person since I joined YouthBuild. In the past I felt I had nothing to offer my family, I had to depend on my husband buying me the things that I needed and to take care of the bills, but now I feel that I can contribute instead of taking. My confidence has gone up and my determination is strong to get my priorities straight and get the job done.
I'm not a shy person; I usually tell people what I'm thinking. Therefore I want to tell you directly that if you're interested in YouthBuild give it a shot. It's worth it especially if you're like me someone who never completed anything and was unsure if you had "What it takes."
Come and find out if you do!
The author is a twenty-two-year-old Black mother and wife who is determined to succeed.
