QUEENS — Kevin Quiroz was 8 when his parents got deported to Colombia.
Quiroz, 25, who was left behind with his two older brothers, kept moving from one place to another and later became a gang member.
“I got caught up in violence, gangs and things like that,” he said. “And then I dropped out of high school at age 14.”
He learnt about the YouthBuild program, which provides education and job skills to unemployed young people, when his wife’s brother completed it several years ago.
At that time the program, which was launched this year by the YMCA at the Y Roads Center in Jamaica, was held in Flushing.
The program, he said, gave him “a great starting point” for his professional career, helping him with obtaining his high school equivalency diploma and giving him training in construction.
Quiroz, who now works as a vocational instructor for the program, said that anyone ages 17 through 24 who is out of school and out of work, can apply.
In New York City, according to YMCA, more than a quarter of a million youths are considered "disconnected," meaning that they are neither employed nor in school. Jamaica is among the most affected neighborhoods.
During the 10-month program participants complete their High School Equivalency course work and receive vocational training.
They can choose from four fields: construction, building and facilities management, early childhood education and sports and fitness.
Throughout the program, which typically takes roughly 30 hours a week, attendees also receive a stipend and are placed in internships to gain work experience. Later, they also get help finding a job.
Upon completing the program, Quiroz went to serve in the U.S. Army, where, as an equipment operator, he used the skills that he acquired during the program, he said.
After he returned from Afghanistan in 2011, he gradurated with a degree in human services from St. John's University. He is currently studying for his Master's in nonprofit management and policy at NYU.
"The YouthBuild program was my second chance at life,” Quiroz said.
The YouthBuild program is held at the Y Roads Center, at 161-04 Jamaica Ave. Those interested, should apply by the end of September. For more information go here or email Nicole Kourbage at nkourbage@ymcanyc.org.
