Last month, YouthBuild Charter School of California Central and our Local Conservation Corps celebrated the accomplishments of 65 young adults during the school’s commencement ceremony.

Over 500 family members, friends, Agency administrators and staff, and community supporters packed inside West Side Church of God to support the graduates and wish them well as they embark on new journeys.

Graduate James Miller sang the National Anthem to the standing-room only crowd. An enlightening and thought provoking commencement address was given by Dr. Robert Watts. He challenged the graduates to use their diploma as a key. “Your diploma is like the key to your car,” said Dr. Watts. “It can take you anywhere you want to go”. He went on to warn the graduates to not let roadblocks get in their way and strive to pursue additional “keys” to college and beyond. Rounding out the evening were a series of outstanding speeches given by key graduates including Noel Aguilar, Gilbert Gutierrez, and alumnus Ismael Barajas.

YouthBuild Charter School of California Central’s Class of 2011 is the second class to graduate from the school located at our Neighborhood Youth Center. The school and Local Conservation Corps partnered in 2009 to bring a quality high school diploma granting credit recovery program to young adults ages 18-24 year olds.

Congratulations Class of 2011!