A Second Home: The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth continues to make strides with YouthBuild program

Elizabeth, NJ — For Elizabeth’s youth, The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) YouthBuild program is not only a place for young people to obtain industry-recognized certifications — it’s a second home. A newer component of HACE, its YouthBuild program was founded in 2022 after receiving a grant from the US Department of Labor. HACE is now one of four YouthBuild programs in New Jersey - a list that includes YouthBuild Newark, an initiative of Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN). NOYN is one of the founding organizations of the New Jersey Opportunity Youth Coalition (NJ OY Coalition), of which HACE is a member organization. The NJ OY Coalition consists of a group of young people and organizations invested in removing the barriers to opportunity youth’s success. 

“Because of the YouthBuild grant, I'm now able to tell residents and local community members that, in addition to assistance with housing, HACE also provides services to young adults who are trying to obtain certifications, find a career, step into industries that they didn't really know much about in the past,” said Nik Young-Bagley, YouthBuild Program Director. “They're ready for a new start and they're looking for a second chance. I think that's the most important part.” 

Now this home is preparing for the next group of incoming members of the YouthBuild family. Approximately 25 young people have already graduated with their diplomas and obtained their certifications from HACE YouthBuild, each choosing between the construction and Allied Health career pathways offered.

“For our YouthBuild program, all students are required to complete a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certificate,” she said. “But since we have a construction plus component, young people have the opportunity to also earn a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification if they’re interested. The whole process is a great opportunity for us to coach them, develop them, and make sure that they can feel like they leave with something tangible in their hands.” 

At HACE YouthBuild, success and learning aren’t just measured by how many certifications are earned. Outside of academics, the program also emphasizes social and emotional learning, relationship boundaries, and financial literacy. Each Friday, young people also engage in community service projects. They recently worked at Elizabeth’s Habitat for Humanity and Groundwork, an organization that brings awareness to environmental issues.   

HACE YouthBuild Construction CTE Instructor Natasha Davis said, “The construction pathway in our program offers underserved youth a powerful platform to transform their lives. Through hands-on training and mentorship, we equip them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the construction industry. This pathway not only opens doors to sustainable careers but also instills a sense of pride and accomplishment. As we grow, we envision expanding these opportunities, continuously adapting to meet the evolving needs of our students and the industry, ultimately fostering a new generation of skilled and empowered professionals.” 

HACE YouthBuild isn’t just a second home to young people, but also to the larger Elizabeth community. It recently held a mental health and wellness event for Mental Health Action Day in May, which received positive feedback from community members. 

Young-Bagley said, “We hosted a collaboration with local organizations, Someone's Daughter, Maple and Monroe, and MTV Paramount Studios on Mental Health Action Day. The response from the community was very positive. We had our young people in a quiet yoga room with their shoes off and in meditation poses. They're even doing sound baths. The community outpouring of ‘wow, we really needed this,’ was such good feedback for us.” 

Young-Bagley also expressed appreciation for the support the program received from other YouthBuild programs and partners. She explained the importance of the sustainability of YouthBuild programs across the state and commended the passage of the NJ YouthBuild Act, which was signed into law in January of this year. 

NOYN Chief Program Officer Jasmine Joseph-Forman said, “HACE YouthBuild has done so much to support young people in such a short period of time. They exemplify the reasons why there should be more YouthBuild programs in New Jersey and why programs like ours are needed for communities and families. They’re earning more than just a piece of paper - they’re obtaining skills that they will take with them for the rest of their lives.” 

To learn more about HACE YouthBuild, visit their website at hacenj.com/youthbuild