On Wednesday, May 26, 16 Summer Youth Employment Program participants from the Building Great Futures program met to receive their new Steel Blue Boots. They will need the PPE to build four houses with the Cleveland Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity this summer.

The teens have been training to learn the construction trades and are being paid to renovate homes over the summer.

Building Great Futures is a joint initiative between BGCNEO, Habitat and Youth Opportunities Unlimited. This is the program’s fourth year.

The home to be renovated is in the Buckeye-Woodland neighborhood. It is one of four in this neighborhood that will be renovated by the Building Great Futures team; Habitat plans to rehabilitate a total of 12 homes in Buckeye-Woodland.

Participants will be trained in construction and tool usage, basic home repair, and expose students to opportunities and responsibilities of home ownership. We'll be following along with this exciting Summer Youth Employment Program.