With support from the NAACP Labor & Industry Committee, the Community Youth Services (CYS) program of the Boys and Girls Club of Freeport & Stephenson County has started a program called YIELD – Young Adults Investing in Education and Life Development. The idea is to encourage young people to invest in themselves by starting down a path of lifelong-learning and good work practice habits that will take them into a financially successful career of which they can be proud.
The program partners with EDDR (Education Design Development Research Corp.), a Chicago-based leader in educational and business training in many fields, whose purpose is to prepare individuals for apprenticeship programs in the building trades. This partnership allows individuals to invest their time and energy in completing an eleven-week NCCER developed training that leads to nationally recognized certifications, without any out-of-pocket cost to themselves.
In addition, YIELD gives eligible participants an opportunity to earn money and credible work experience while putting their newly acquired book skills into real life practice. All this while making a positive contribution to the community by helping organizations such as Rebuilding Together Stephenson County and the Freeport Park District with practical building projects.
While the YIELD program is focused on young adults ages 18 – 25 years, the EDDR training program can be accessed by older individuals, also. Both men and women are encouraged to become involved as the nation’s building trades seek to diversify their workforce.
The program recently finished the first full eleven-week series and pre-registration is now open for a new series starting 9/12/2022 which will be held at the Faith Center, 515 S Galena Ave, Freeport.
Individuals wanting more information are encouraged to leave their names, emails & phone numbers with James Rhyne, at the Boys and Girls Club (815-233-1600 x123) or Ted Odendahl (815-275-9450). They will be contacted about informational meetings and/or to answer individual questions.
