Phoenix Rising again: Marion officials seek adults ages 18-24 to launch 15th YouthBuild

Five years ago, Zachariah Slaughter dropped out of high school. He was getting into trouble and then he met Heaven Colon, an Eckerd Connects Workforce Development program manager.

Slaughter, now 23, was introduced in 2018 to the Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program, which helps young adults get a high school diploma. The program paid participants to get a diploma and, at the same time, learn trade skills that can land them a career job.

"I was like a troubled kid," said Slaughter, who spoke at a Wednesday evening event designed to recruit 24 new students for the 15th class of the Phoenix Rising Youthbuild program class.

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"I didn't really care about school, dropped out, and was just doing a lot of stupid stuff," Slaughter said. He completed the program and served the U.S. Marines for two years until an injury led to an early honorable discharge.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," he told young people who gathered Wednesday at a city community center on Northwest Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. "It was such a good experience. It helped me grow mentally. It was like a stepping stone."

His impromptu speech came during a two-hour open house that was designed to give young people and their relatives a chance to learn about the nationally acclaimed program, which gives people a second chance.

The event helped acquaint interested participants, family members, and all community partners with Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program and the benefits to young adults who may now want to get their lives on track.

Phoenix Rising YouthBuild is in its 11th year

The award-winning program, now in its 11th year, "helps revitalize economically challenged neighborhoods while making a positive difference in the lives of those ages 18-24 who are willing to work, in need of a high school diploma, and interested in employment and/or postsecondary education or training," a press release states.

Overview sessions will be Sept. 30, Oct. 4 at CareerSource CLM career center

Detailed program overview sessions about the program will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 30 and 2 p.m. Oct. 4. Both sessions will be held at the CareerSource CLM career center, 2703 NE 14th St., Ocala.

Because space is limited, those interested in attending those program overview session must schedule a session in advance by calling (352) 291-9550, ext. 1215, or by texting YB to (352) 299-7999.

Phoenix Rising was spearheaded in 2011 by Sam Williams, who was then the Ocala police chief. The program was created in collaboration with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion and its youth services provider, Eckerd Connects Workforce Development, as well as Habitat for Humanity of Marion County and the City of Ocala.

Additional primary partners are the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, College of Central Florida (Hampton Center), Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation, Florida State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) and Equal Housing Opportunity.

Laura Byrnes, CareerSource CLM's director of communications, notes in a press release that through Phoenix Rising YouthBuild, "students receive hands-on and classroom training designed to develop workforce skills that lead to employment."

"A key feature of the program involves construction of Habitat for Humanity of Marion County homes for deserving families," the release notes. "Additionally, students may earn their high school diploma as well as industry-recognized certifications while receiving weekly participation payments."

A grant totaling nearly $845K is to train 48 students, build four homes

Officials said that $844,712 in program funding was obtained via a grant secured by CareerSource CLM from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

The two-year grant covers training for 48 students and construction of four homes. To date, 291 young adults have graduated from Phoenix Rising programs in Marion and Citrus counties, a release notes.

Students participating in the program have helped build 48 homes. Of those 291, 105 have earned high school diplomas, and 250 have gained employment and/or enrolled in postsecondary programs.

In addition, graduates have earned 1,307 industry certifications including forklift and warehouse certifications, OSHA certification, Florida Safe Staff Food Handling, Home Builders Institute PACT Carpentry certification and the National Retail Federation Customer Service and Sales credential, the release notes.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn: It is 'going to be a great experience for y'all.'

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn spoke at Wednesday's open house, telling everyone that this is "going to be a great experience for y'all."

Guinn pointed to Jared Wilhelm, now a success mentor with the Phoenix Rising Youthbuild, adding that the community is "really proud of him."

Like Slaughter, who was in the program last year, Wilhelm shared that he really "enjoyed the construction aspect of the program."

"I wouldn't have wanted anyone to meet me 10 months ago, because I I was a completely different person," said Slaughter, adding he was not a social person and he was a high school dropout.  "I'm not ashamed to admit it because I'm here now."

Joe Callahan can be reached at (352) 817-1750 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeOcalaNews.

Program information

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Phoenix Rising program gives those needing chance an opportunity