Helping kids with homework. Connecting families with distant relatives. Helping Individuals manage their businesses. Access to the internet can transform lives — which is why we’re bringing it to people who can't afford it in Poughkeepsie.
We offer GED classes in partnership with Dutchess Community College, and pay you for attendance + completion.
We provide you with training and jobs to make money!
You will receive job ready certifications for completely free
Through mentorship and training, you will set an example for the next generation and inspire others with your accomplishments.
YouthBuild believes that the goals, dreams, and aspirations of every young person are real. They are important, and they are achievable.
Young people do not need fixing; they need champions who see them for who they really are, and who they can become. Every young person possesses the potential to become a community leader and should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
At Nubian Directions II, the Youthbuild program is geared towards helping individuals without a high school diploma to obtain their GED, all while acquiring practical skills that can positively impact their lives in the long term.
We are one of the 276 YouthBuild programs across the United States, Nubian Directions II aims to change the lives of young people by providing training, community service opportunities, and sustainable-wage jobs.
Age Requirement:
Between the ages of 16 and 24 on the date of enrollment.
Needs to be one or more of the following:
A member of a low-income family (including youth experiencing housing instability)
Youth in foster care ( including youth aging out of foster care )
A youth involved in the justice system
A youth who is an individual with a disability
A child of an incarcerated parent
A migrant youth
One of the following:
Left high school prior to graduation
An individual who left high school prior to graduation and has subsequently re-enrolled (as provided in WIOA Sec. 171(e)(1) Eligible Participants).
As it relates to determining which youth are considered out-of-school youth, DOL does not consider providers of Adult Education under YouthBuild programs to be “schools.”
Therefore, WIOA Youth programs may consider youth out-of-school for purposes of WIOA Youth program eligibility if they are attending Adult Education provided under YouthBuild.
Up to, but not more than, 25 percent of the participants in the program may be youth who do not meet criteria 2 or 3 above, but they must meet the following:
Be basic skills deficient, despite attainment of a high school diploma or its state-recognized equivalent
Have been referred by a local secondary school for participation in a YouthBuild program leading to the attainment of a high school diploma.
NOTE: Male participants aged 18 or older must register for the U.S. Selective Service System (www.sss.gov) before being provided any program services. If they turn 18 while participating, they must register at that time.
During the last year, the City of Poughkeepsie has felt the direct impact of COVID-19. Social distancing, unemployment, school closure, community spread and various stay at home orders/practices have resulted in socioeconomic hardships on children and families.
Many residents, employers, and students must rely on high speed broadband in nearly every aspect of their lives. For a number of low-income residents, they do not have access to online educational resources, census forms/information, and/or updated COVID-19 information. According to the U.S. Census, approximately 25% of the City of Poughkeepsie’s households in the 3rd and 5th Wards specifically, lack internet access. This means, a significant portion of Poughkeepsie City School District’s low-income children/students do not have access to the internet.
In order to address this community need and develop a workable solution to this stated problem, Nubian Directions has moved forward in designing/implementing a strategic plan to provide free Wi-Fi access to the “unconnected” in the City of Poughkeepsie