The Fall River YouthBuild program held its third annual graduation at its Bank Street facility on June 25, 2009. Twenty-seven completers assembled in the gymnasium of the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium on Bank Street that serves as the program's headquarters. The program, a ten-month construction skills training curriculum for men and women ages 17-24 who have not completed high school run by the Old Colony YMCA, has been in operation in Fall River since August of 2006. Greetings were given by Mayor Robert Correia, Old Colony Y executive director Vincent Martuano, and Fall River YMCA director Frank Duffy. Students John Buckley and Ashley Woods shared comments on their experiences as students in the year-long program before certificates and awards were presented by director Terry Moran and other members of the YouthBuild staff. Click here to see photos of last year's graduation. Click here, here, here, and here to read more about the program. For more information, contact Director Terry Moran at 508-678-1975.
 

(Top row, left) Staff member Natalie Baptista gives the education address to the assembled students, friends and family members. (Top row, center) YouthBuild director Terry Moran addresses the twenty-seven completers in the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium. (Top row, right) Staffers Tara Corbett, Lorna Lincoln and Ray Gove distribute packets containing OSHA certificates, GED awards and National Honors award to the students. (Middle row, left and right) Students John Buckley and Ashley Woods reflect on their experiences as students over the past year. (Bottom row, left and center) Peter Moura and Bella and Franciso Almas applaud Jason Almas as he receives his awards. (Bottom row, right) Students enjoy some lighter moments in the ceremony.