“I’ve taught the Amer-I-Can Life Management Skills curriculum for over 15 years and this graduating class is the ultimate validation of investing in human development,” Rock Johnson proudly proclaimed. The impetus for Johnson’s observation is composition of the graduates. “When I screened the students I discovered most were gang-affiliated and they belonged to warring factions; I also discovered that several students were virtually homeless. A few of the kids were dealing with pending legal cases; simply put, they were beyond at-risk – they were fighting for survival.” 15 participants (Ramon Bonesi, Falishia Bryant, Robert Chiles, Daniel Cowen, LaShawn Cunningham, Anthony Daniel, Terelle Daniel, Ashly Hagnot, Gary Jacobs, Marco Limon, Roy Martin, Wilson Pulido, Shontell Wash, Jennifer Whitmer and LaDonte Wilson successfully completed the 15 chapters of the curriculum and received their Certificates of Completion from Amer-I-Can Founder Jim Brown at the headquarters of the Black Contractors Association in San Diego, California.
“Watching the steady, sustained change in the behavior and performance of these young people during their course of Amer-I-Can instruction is heart-warming and affirming,” said Abdur-Rahim Hameed, President of the Black Contractors Association and Director of the YouthBuild project in San Diego. During the graduation the students demonstrated their command of the core elements of the curriculum and intimated how they were applying the principles of the program in their upward climb towards self-determination. The YouthBuild program, which is federally funded through HUD, is targeted towards at-risk-youth between the ages of 18-25. The students in the BCA/YouthBuild program learn while they earn a stipend the various crafts of the construction industry. Classroom instruction is also provided for the students to complete their requirements for a high school diploma.
“To learn that four of the students qualified for and are now in the BCA’s state-certified apprenticeship program; three students are working for construction companies; three students are in college, three are now gainfully employed; five students have gotten their GED and seven others are awaiting test results for the GED is rewarding news,” exclaimed Amer-I-Can Founder/Chairman, Jim Brown. Brown went on to say that: “Our relationship with BCA/YouthBuild is yielding the results that must be replicated in urban communities across the country. So many young people need to learn first how to conduct themselves responsibly, then they need to learn how to make a living; our collaboration with BCA/YouthBuild is affecting positive change and providing meaningful opportunities for young people to meet the primary, secondary and social needs. Based on this success we will be aggressively pursuing an expansion of this collaboration in other communities.”
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