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AV YouthBuild awarded SunPower Foundation grant

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SunPower Representative Nikki Franko (center) presents a check Thursday, July 31 to AV YouthBuild Construction Manager David Woodman (left) and Board Member Leslie Woodman (right). The funds will be used to provide education, career development services and leadership development opportunities to "at potential" young people in the community. (Photo by JAMAAL BROWN)
SunPower Representative Nikki Franko (center) presents a check Thursday, July 31 to AV YouthBuild Construction Manager David Woodman (left) and Board Member Leslie Woodman (right). The funds will be used to provide education, career development services and leadership development opportunities to “at potential” young people in the community. (Photo by JAMAAL BROWN)

PALMDALE – Antelope Valley YouthBuild, a Palmdale-based leadership development program, has received a grant from the SunPower Foundation, the non-profit arm of SunPower Corporation.

The $6,500 check was presented Thursday at AV YouthBuild’s Supportive Housing Site, located at 38518 5th Street East in Palmdale.

AV YouthBuild students take a break while working at the Supporting Housing Site. (JAMAAL BROWN)
AV YouthBuild students take a break while working at the Supportive Housing Site. (JAMAAL BROWN)

Awarded funds will be used by Antelope Valley YouthBuild to provide education, career development services and leadership development opportunities to young people in the community, according to Rossie Johnson, executive director of Antelope Valley YouthBuild.

“It’s an honor to receive this grant from the SunPower Foundation,” Johnson stated. “We are looking forward to furthering the education and leadership skills of at-risk youth with this grant.”

Palmdale's Neighborhood Services Director Mike Miller spoke of the importance of AV YouthBuild at the check presentation ceremony Thursday. (JAMAAL BROWN)
Palmdale’s Neighborhood Services Director Mike Miller spoke of the importance of AV YouthBuild at the check presentation ceremony Thursday. (JAMAAL BROWN)

Antelope Valley YouthBuild was one of 10 nonprofit organizations recognized and awarded semi-annual grants for work in renewable energy, education or environment.

The SunPower Foundation chose grant recipients in 2014 based on a standard set of criteria, including the organization’s 501(c)(3) status, mission, vision and planned use of funds.

“Through the SunPower Foundation, our company is pleased to support renewable energy, education and environmental initiatives in communities around the world,” said Doug Richards, SunPower Foundation chairman. “These investments are sure to have a long-lasting impact thanks to the work of groups, including Antelope Valley YouthBuild.”

Antelope Valley YouthBuild is an alternative school that provides programs to “at potential” young people, ages 16 to 24. The students work toward their high school diplomas, learn job skills and serve their communities by building affordable housing and transforming their own lives and roles in society.

Participants spend six to 24 months in the full-time program, dividing their time between the construction site and the YouthBuild alternative school. Antelope Valley YouthBuild’s mission is to unleash the intelligence and positive energy of “at potential” youth to rebuild their communities and their lives.

How you can help

The AV YouthBuild Supportive Housing Site is in need of household items to furnish the bedrooms and living areas. Call 661-266-8900 to find out how you can help. (JAMAAL BROWN)
The AV YouthBuild Supportive Housing Site is in need of household items to furnish the bedrooms and living areas. Call 661-266-8900 to find out how you can help. (JAMAAL BROWN)

AV YouthBuild is accepting community donations for its Supportive Housing Site. The half-acre property was developed by YouthBuild participants and alumni to offer shelter to AV YouthBuild students who may be at risk of homelessness.

The Supportive Housing Site is in need of household items to furnish eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens, two living rooms, two community rooms and a laundry room. For more information on how you can “adopt” a room, contact AV YouthBuild at 661-266-8900.

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Previous related story: Help empower youth, build community

 

Filed Under: Palmdale

9 comments for "AV YouthBuild awarded SunPower Foundation grant"

  1. Georgia, maybe you should find more productive things to do with your life instead of trying to bring others down… that’s a pretty sad existence if you ask me! GET A LIFE!

  2. Kudos to AV YouthBuild. Keep up the good work and disregard the negative comments. Misery loves company and some will be disappointed you are rising to the occasion as apposed to stooping to their level. Dare to be better!

  3. Keep up the great work, YouthBuild. You are making a positive difference in our community.

  4. Nikki Franko? Aka Nikki Quiroga – Check the Lancaster Arrest Records for July 22nd on this site. Interesting.

  5. Writing and receiving grant money sure beats working for a living. Great idea, though. Let others work and pay taxes, write a grant and have the government steal from them and give to you. I have an idea how to help others, and everybody else needs to pay for it. That teet sure is sweet.

    • AV YouthBuild awesome program thank you Sun Power & Young People for improving the community and yourselves.

      Craig you Must be living in a misery closet take a shower, this is a positive thing….This is how America works – get with it or loose out on helping yourself and the community!

      • Well said, thank you Jason!

        Perhaps Craig would prefer the youth of AV to run around creating havoc in the community rather than helping the community and themselves. If you are looking for something to bash Craig, look elsewhere, AV YouthBuild does not fall into your category.