This story was written by Randiah Camille Green and created in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. It is part of a year-long series focusing on programs and pathways to good paying jobs and careers in Detroit.
Many youth in Detroit struggle with keeping a job, not because they can’t do the work, but because of access barriers. Those who are single parents may have trouble finding daycare. Those without a car have to depend on unreliable transportation. They may lack the financial literacy skills to know how to maintain a budget. The nonprofit SER Metro Detroit is working to holistically address these issues by giving youth the skills needed to secure and retain employment.
SER Metro, which stands for service, employment and redevelopment, offers a GED program called YouthBuild. It provides people from 18 to 24 years of age the opportunity to pursue a career in construction or health care while earning their GED. The program is 240 hours and can take between eight weeks and seven months to complete…