Try as he might – and he tried mightily by taking extra classes, enrolling in summer school, and even seeking the help of a tutor – Israel Rodriguez just couldn’t pass his high school math requirements. And though he got to walk with his classmates, he didn’t graduate.
On June 27, all that changed.
“I’m a YouthBuild graduate. I’m proud to say that now,” Israel said while addressing fellow members of the 2024 Phoenix Rising YouthBuild graduating class. “We all face our own struggles and walk our own personal paths which led this moment.”
Those paths led Israel and 28 others to the culmination of the 20-week, award-winning program.
Now in its 13th year, Phoenix Rising YouthBuild helps revitalize economically challenged neighborhoods in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County while making a positive difference in the lives of 18 to 24-year-olds who are willing to work, in need of a high school diploma, and interested in employment and/or postsecondary education or training.
Graduating alongside Israel were Alain Llovera Cedeno, Alberto Salazar Serrano, Benjamin Rivera, Caleb Smith, Destiny Barber, Dianely Garcet, Fisher Benefield, Gabriel Sullivan, Jade Cano, Jeronimo Acevedo Hernandez, Juan Dykes, Jr., Lacy Snow, Landon Gadd, Logan Raverty, Teara Smith, Tyree Greer, and Xavier Troup.
Also completing the program but unable to attend were Calab Correia, Cierra Bennett, Jabez Torruellas, Jazmien Wade, Jessica Hernandez, Jose Villagran, Larosa Gaskin, Mikeal Falk and Sha’Miracle James.
Israel said his sister, who graduated from the program in 2022, encouraged him to take part in the program.
Of the many “lessons and words of wisdom” Israel said he picked up during his time in the program, one that stuck with him came from Mark Seymour, Habitat’s construction instructor, who told his students that “Nothing in this world can be handed to you. You’ve got to get up and get it yourself.”
While the opportunity wasn’t exactly handed to him, Israel said he was grateful to be given a second chance.
“I couldn’t have been blessed more. With so much help and opportunities from this amazing group of coaches and mentors. I took in everything I could from being given a second chance, and it wasn’t going to allow myself to mess up again. And look at me now,” he said. “I hope I can speak for everyone in this room with a big Thank You to all the amazing staff that was there every step of the journey to guide and mentor us … to become a better version of ourselves.”
For his part, Seymour, thanked the Phoenix Rising graduates for the opportunity to work alongside them and watch them grow. He then encouraged them to “Set your mind to a specific task, step on the gas and keep it moving; you’re going to hit some little hurdles along the way. But that’s expected in life. Remember, nobody owes you anything. Everything each one of you achieves in life is because of the decisions and the actions you make.”
Jeffrey Santiago admitted during his remarks to the graduates that he wasn’t proud of a lot of decisions and actions he made before moving to Florida from New York – where “life wasn’t all roses.”
When it came to getting involved in the program Jeffrey, a past YouthBuild graduate, said that “To be honest with you, at first I did not want to do it … but I saw my mom’s face, and she really wanted me to do it.”
Jeffrey said that while there were times he wanted to leave, what he ultimately discovered is that Phoenix Rising YouthBuild “was a family.”
“I learned from them, they learned from me,” he said. “And what I want to tell you, this is not the end of the road … This is a big step in your life. Just keep going [and] never stop striving.”
A highlight of the graduation program was delivered by Grace Daley, CarePortal regional manager who shared her life journey from WNBA basketball player to teacher to community leader. Daley told the graduates how she played by the rules of her faith to achieve her goals. She outlined the 10 Commandments for living a fulfilling, faith-based life, including treating others with kindness and respect, and Daley encouraged the graduates to apply those principles to their own lives.
In closing out the program, CareerSource CLM’s Executive Vice President Dale French inspired an enthusiastic chorus of cheers when he announced that SECO had donated laptops for each of the graduates.
“It was unexpected surprise but very good surprise,” he said.
French thanked Habitat and all the Phoenix Rising partners for the key roles they play in bringing the program to life, and he also recognized the packed audience of family and friends for their “commitment and support in getting these graduates to this point today.”
“Most of all, I want to thank our graduates for your work,” French continued. “You’re out there in the field every day, it’s hot and sweaty, it’s dirty… But you made it happen. And without your dedication, we wouldn’t be able to continue this program, year after year.”
In addition to YouthBuild, CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion and our youth services provider Eckerd Connects Workforce Development as well as Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Phoenix Rising YouthBuild’s primary partners are the College of Central Florida (Hampton Center), Equal Housing Opportunity, HBI (Home Builders Institute), Impact – An Entrepreneurial Initiative of the CEP presented by Ausley Construction, Marion County Board of County Commissioners, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation, and United Healthcare Community Plan.
Phoenix Rising YouthBuild has become a national model of what communities can build when public and private partners work together. It has earned recognition from the Florida League of Cities, National League of Cities and Harvard’s School of Business. Phoenix Rising also received the Clarence E. Jordan Award, Habitat for Humanity International’s highest honor for creativity and innovation in building homes and communities.
Major funding for the program comes from a grant obtained by CareerSource CLM from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Current federal funding for YouthBuild is $844,712. The two-year grant covered training for 48 students and construction of four homes.
For more information about Phoenix Rising YouthBuild, call 352-291-9550 or 800-434-5627.