Meridian Housing Authority’s Youth Build Department held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to celebrate the successful construction of a 3-bedroom house located at 1115 15th Street.

MHA’s Youth Build program has the primary goal to provide disadvantaged youth a chance to gain valuable life skills, such as leadership and teamwork, and establish them as productive members of the workforce. The program accepts high-risk youths between the ages of 16 to 24. 

The program also works as rehabilitation by offering those who need it a chance to receive either a high school diploma or GED. Since beginning in January 2022, the Youth Build program has had 23 students to earn their high school diploma, 20 have earned nationally recognized construction credentials and 18 are currently employed.

Youth Build Director Gretchen Luvene said, “We are proud to have built a house in this community, but we are extremely proud that some of our students had an opportunity to apply their learned knowledge in the classroom onto this beautiful worksite. Learning a skill or a trade gives our students the chance to become gainfully employed and productive in the workforce.”

MHA’s Youth Build has several partners who help ensure the students receive the best possible resources available to them. Some of those partners include Meridian Public School District, Meridian Community College and Lauderdale County Youth Justice Center. 

LaVonda Germany, student director at Meridian Public School District, said, “In education we have a saying that says you can’t bloom until you Maslow.” 

She said Maslow takes care of your basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and a home. That’s what these students have been a part of, creating a home. As they create a home, and learn, and grow they begin to understand that they have something to give, she said.

Luvene said the program has received its second grant, and with that intends to continue working with the youth of Meridian to keep revitalizing the city.