Comprehensive
Community
Solutions, Inc.
Overview of Programs
and Services
Building Human Capital, Communities and
Affordable Housing
Comprehensive
Community Solutions,
Inc.
Non-profit agency founded in
1992
 Location: 907-917 S. Main St.
 Annual Budget: $1.6 Million
 Staff: 28 (including fulltime, part
time, contractual and volunteer
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PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
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YOUTHBUILD ROCKFORD PROGRAM
YOUTHBUILD AMERICORPS PROGRAM
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT WELCOME HOME FURNITURE BANK
NEIGHBORHOOD TOOL BANK
SALVAGE TOO/ROCKFORD REUSE CENTER
WAY TO PEACE PROJECT
THE YOUTHBUILD
ROCKFORD
PROGRAM
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16-24 yr.old-H.S. Dropouts-very low
income
Over 3,000 applicants, 507 enrolled
since 1995
50% vocational training
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50% education, support services, inc.:
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Construction of low-income housing
Computer Technology
Applied Academics (GED)
Employability
Pre-apprenticeship
Life Skills
Leadership Development
Service Learning
Project-Based Learning
Community Service
Support Services
Graduate Program/Alumni Clubs
YouthBuild Program
Components
Program Components
EDUCATION
counseling
COUNSELING
Academic skills
Individual and peer counseling
GED preparation
individual and peer counseling
Group sessions
Vocational skills
group
sessions
Case management
Job/college readiness skills
case
management
Referrals
to outside agencies
Leadership development
Group recreation
referrals to outside
agencies
Construction theory and terminology
Follow-up education
group recreation
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
group sessions
Decision making
case management
Speaking
referrals to outside agencies
Cultural events
Group facilitation
Negotiating
group recreation
Community service
Retreats
Advocacy
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Supervised construction training
Computer Technology Training
(Hardware, Software, Web Design,
Repair)
Employer expectations
GRADUATE RESOURCES
College admission counseling
Pre-employment training
Career counseling
Integration into apprenticeship programs
Job search techniques
Job readiness skills
Job development
Coordination with pre-apprenticeship
Programs
Job placement
Follow-up counseling/support
How does the program
work?
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Youth who enter the program engage in a
39-week primary program cycle (October
thru July), during which they spend 50%
of their time in academic and related
instruction leading to completion of a
GED, and the remaining 50% in
occupational skills training in either
construction or computer technology.
They participate for 34 hours per week,
and earn a needs-based stipend for their
participation.
Upon graduation, they are placed in
employment, post-secondary education,
or vocational training, or a combination.
Youth participate in follow-up services
through a Graduate Program for an
additional year, and may remain
connected to the program through its
Alumni Club for an unlimited duration.
What Makes YouthBuild
Work?
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Systematic attention to improving
basic educational skills.
Opportunities to perform
meaningful work, learn saleable
skills and good work habits.
Relationship-building with caring
adults who demonstrate a strong
stake in their success.
Development of positive peer
group and provision of support
services.
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Strong and effective connections
with employers, with follow-up
services.
Involvement in program decisionmaking - LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT!
Long-term, full-time intervention
lasting 6-24 months
Reasonable stipends during
training.
Small program size
Accountability to standards
Flexibility, not bureaucracy
The National Picture
NATIONAL YOUTHBUILD FACTS
SUCCESS
59.1% average retention rate
35% earn GED or diploma
82% placed in jobs or education
Average placement wage $8/hour
HOUSING
13,000 units of low-income housing
produced since 1993
LOCATIONS
226+ programs in 44 states
FUNDING
Each program procures its own
funding, typically a mix of federal, state,
local and private funds
COSTS
Average per-participant cost is $20,000,
including stipends
REPLICATION
Local control, with central training and
guidance in best practices by national
nonprofit with focus on program quality
What are the Local
Results?
Number of youth applying
Number served
Number graduates
Percent high school
dropout
Percent completing GED
Percent employed or in
school after graduation
3054
507
284
96%
Average wage
Cost per participant
$8.36
$12,144
50%
83%
YouthBuild produces
tangible results…..
YouthBuild and the
Investment Triangle
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How does
YouthBuild
contribute to
making “lasting
changes in
community
conditions?
Consider these
statistics:
■ Dropouts are
substantially more likely
to rely on public
assistance than those
with a high school
diploma. The estimated
lifetime revenue loss for
male dropouts ages 2534 is $944 billion. The
cost to the public of their
crime and welfare
benefits is estimated to
total $24 billion annually.
Dropouts contribute to state and federal tax coffers
at only about one-half the rate of high school
graduates; over a working lifetime about $60,000
less, or $50 billion annually for the 23 million
high school non-completers, ages 18-67.
Are they youth “at risk”? Or youth “at promise”……?
Funding Sources
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US Dept of HUD
U.S. Dept. of Labor – Offender Re-entry
Program
Corporation for National Service
City of Rockford-HOME Program
National City Community Dev. Corp.
State of Illinois, Dept. Human Services
United Way of Rock River Valley
Winnebago County Alternative Programs
Nonprofit Housing development
Private foundations, donors
In-kind contributions
Community Partners
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The City of Rockford
Rockford Housing Authority
YMCA
United Way
Local trades unions
Over 175 employers, public
and private
Numerous community
agencies
Experience Works
Corporation for National
Service
YouthBuild USA
Other Agency Programs
and Services
Affordable Housing
Development
 Neighborhood and Community
Development
 Character Education
 Youth Development
Practitioner Apprenticeship
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Americorps
A National Service movement
that is engaging dedicated
Americans of all ages and
backgrounds in a domestic
Peace Corps to get things done
throughout our nation’s rural
and urban communities.
 Promotes core American
values--community, educational
opportunity, and responsibility.
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How does Americorps
Work?
Americorps “Members”, either
full-time or part-time commit to
a term of service (usually 1 yr)
 As Part-time members,
YouthBuild trainees must
perform 900 hours of service in
a year (Full time = 1700 hours)
 In exchange, they receive
$2,363 as an education award to
help pay for college or
vocational training (Full time
receives $4800)
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Affordable Housing
Development
As a designated Community
Housing Development
Organization, CCS acquires,
builds, renovates, leases, or
sells properties, primarily for
low-income families. CCS
acts as owner, developer,
property manager.
•New
Construction/Rehab
Projects
Completed
1995-2006
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94 Units
– 74 Single
Family
– 20
Multifamily
– 29
YouthBuild
Affordable Housing
Development
CCS, Inc. owns
and manages
rental property
for low-income
families.
Rental Properties
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629 Rockton
2111 W. State
2117 W. State
2305 School St.
Total: 16 units
In the fall of 2003, CCS
completed construction
of a 26-lot subdivision at
Pierpont and Green. The
project is a mixed income
development, with half of
the homes available for
low-income buyers.
Phase 2, with 18 units, is
underway this year.
CCS CONSTRUCTION, LLC
In December, 1999, CCS
formed a wholly-owned
subsidiary limited liability
corporation-CCS
Construction LLC--as a full
service general contractor.
As a revenue-generating
arm of the nonprofit, CCS
Construction now provides
training for YouthBuild
students, as well as
contracting both
residential and light
commercial work. The
company is a union
contractor.
Project Welcome Home
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In January, 2001, CCS,
Inc. took over operations
of Project Welcome
Home, a community
furniture bank.
The project receives
referrals of families
needing furniture from
social service agencies.
Donations of furniture
are accepted from
companies,
organizations, and
individuals.
Volunteers from our
AmeriCorps/VISTA
programs help staff the
project.
Salvage Too/Rockford
Re-Use Center
The Way to Peace
Project
The Way To Peace project
Promoting Peace Through Education
Mission: The Way to Peace Project
seeks to end crime, prejudice and
violence in the communities we serve
by offering programs that promote
character education through a multidisciplined approach.
How Can I Help?
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Referral of
young people to
the programs
Volunteer as a
board member,
mentor or tutor
Donate
construction
materials and
supplies
Job shadowing
or internship
opportunities
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Job
opportunities
for graduates
Tax deductible
contributions to
support the
operations of
the agency and
programs.
Join state or
national
YouthBuild
Coalition
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Charter School
Statewide Youth Organization
Zero-Energy Home Construction
Addition of other vocational
training tracks
For More Information
 Kerry
Knodle, Executive
Director
 815-963-6236
 Fax: 815-963-1002
 Email: ybrkfd@youthbuildrockford
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Website:www.youthbuildrockford.org