Phoenix Rising open house recruits for 15th YouthBuild project

File Photo: Congressman Daniel Webster, right, helps raise a wall with Jimarie Cruz-Sanchez, second from right and two Phoenix Rising YouthBuild team members during the Phoenix Rising YouthBuild Wall Raising ceremony on Pecan Road in Silver Springs Shores, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. The 1,100 square foot 3/2 home is being built for Jimarie Cruz-Sanchez, who has two sons, ages 9 and 14. Habitat For Humanity is building six homes for families this year, four of them are active construction sites. The Habitat home for Cruz-Sanchez is being built by Phoenix Rising YouthBuild through a community housing development grant administered by Marion County Community Services, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Neighborhood Housing and Development Corp., Florida State Housing Initiative Partnership, Equal Housing Opportunity, Silver River Mentoring and Instruction, the College of Central Florida, Eckerd Connects Workforce Development and CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Graduates from Phoenix Rising YouthBuild earn their high school diplomas in 20 weeks and help revitalize economically challenged neighborhoods. In Marion County, participants in the celebrated career education program help build Habitat for Humanity homes for families in need.

Through the award-winning program, students receive hands-on and classroom training designed to develop workforce skills that lead to employment. Students may earn their high school diploma as well as industry-recognized certifications while receiving weekly participation payments.

To date, a total of 291 young adults have graduated from Phoenix Rising programs in Marion and Citrus counties. Graduates have earned 1,307 industry certifications including forklift and warehouse certifications, OSHA certification, Florida Safe Staff Food Handling, Home Builders Institute PACT Carpentry certification and the National Retail Federation Customer Service and Sales credential.

Recruiting is underway for deserving young adults interested in taking part in Marion County’s 15^th Phoenix Rising YouthBuild.

To kick off the program, an open house will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Community Center, 1510 N.W. Fourth St., Ocala.

The event will acquaint interested participants, family members, and community partners with Phoenix Rising YouthBuild. Light refreshments will be provided.

In its 11^th year, Phoenix Rising helps make a positive difference in the lives of adults ages 18-24 who are willing to work, in need of a high school diploma, and interested in employment and/or postsecondary education or training.

Detailed program overviews of the program will also be provided on Friday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 2703 NE 14^th St., Ocala.

Because space is limited, those interested in attending must schedule a session in advance by calling 352-291-9550, ext. 1215 or by texting YB to 352-299-7999.