Learning to build houses for others is good foundation

The tragic loss of my brother in 2004 when I was in the 10th grade made me lose focus on what was important in my life. Although I made it to the 12th grade, school was not my priority, so I dropped out.

After sitting out of school for about four months, I realized I had to get myself together. I made up my mind that to honor my brother’s life I needed to finish school and make something out of myself.

So last August, I enrolled in the Metro Atlanta YouthBuild Ameri-Corps program. It’s a program that can help me get my diploma or GED while teaching me construction skills and exposing me to other career opportunities.

Although I’m excited about getting my diploma later this year, my favorite part of the program is learning construction. It reminds me of my grandfather, who used to be a carpenter.

I really enjoy building. So far, we have learned how to frame walls and windows. We have also learned some electrical wiring and plumbing.

We are supposed to help build a house this spring. I can’t wait. Maybe one day I’ll get a chance to build my own house.

I really appreciate what the YouthBuild program has done for me so far. It has shown me that I can realize my dreams and has made me confident that I can be a leader.

It has provided a positive place for me as well as other members of my family. I can see good changes in my brother Thomas, who is also in the program. My cousins, Jessica and Rudolph, have also grown from this experience. I feel comfortable having my family around me. We support each other in our efforts to achieve our goals.

One of my goals is to join the Navy after I complete the program in June. I really would love to see Europe and other parts of the world. The experience and exposure I have gotten in the YouthBuild AmeriCorps program will help me be successful in the Navy, where I hope to be an officer.

What’s also important to me is helping other people. We do a lot of that in this program. Since being here, I understand how valuable it is to help others. In fact, if it weren’t for people who are concerned about helping others, there probably would not be a program for me.

So I want to thank people like Congressman John Lewis and the staff at YouthBuild and AmeriCorps for making this opportunity available.

Helping people can be a lot of fun and make you feel good about yourself. We have already done at least three community service projects. We participated in Hands on Atlanta Day, where we made rain barrels and cleaned up Utoy Creek and the Cascade community. My classmates and I also helped to clean and set up a nursery school at Atlanta Workforce Development Agency that was damaged after a flood. During the Martin Luther King service day last month, we had an opportunity to paint a local middle school and clean up a community. I am looking forward to doing more service projects.

I’m sure my brother would be proud of me. I’m so glad that I made the decision to get my life back on track.

> Joy Hill, 20, is an Atlanta resident and a participant in the Metro Atlanta YouthBuild AmeriCorps Program.