Saint-Gobain and YouthBuild USA

Presenting the Green Wave

YouthBuildSchenectadyStudents — Thu, 31 May 2012 22:16:04 +0000

In the final class of “Green Wave”, a curriculum developed by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, YouthBuild Schenectady students each presented an energy efficient home that was two floors, 1300 square feet, on four acres of land, with a budget of $150,000 and encouragement to incorporate renewable energy sources.

Erica Melendez envisioned a hay bale home that featured solar shingles among other energy efficient products allowing her to reduce her costs by more than $80,000. She believes that “doing this project helped to expand my thinking as to how traditional homes can be built and how we can implement sustainable structures in everyday life”, states Melendez.

: Presentation of Melendez’s Hay Bale Home

Vika Werlin learned “in the process of choosing this design . . . sustainable resources are a necessity and we cannot keep building with such a reckless demand”.

In addition to their classroom instruction, students used the internet to research materials and labor costs, building materials, and alternative types of green homes. Students from this class discussed our ongoing project at 843 Emmett Street and how sustainable components will provide savings for residents.

Our studies are ongoing and our students are thoughtfully engaged to change their lifestyles and assist a family become a homeowner.

”I am very proud to be a YouthBuild Schenectady member. . .”

-Aaron Timmons

: Timmons presentation of his underground home design

Schenectady Saint-Gobain and YouthBuild Kick-Off

YouthBuildSchenectadyStudents — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:43:12 +0000

Check out out this local news clip about our kick-off event held at our project site, 843 Emmett Street Schenectady, New York!

YNN Video About Kick-Off

Schenectady Gets It Started!

YouthBuildSchenectadyStudents — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:42:46 +0000

My name is Emanuel McCall and I want to welcome you to YouthBuild Schenectady’s project! I am a YouthBuild graduate and am still involved with the program here in Schenectady. After a lot of planning and a lot of help from Saint-Gobain, our deep energy retrofit project at 843 Emmett Street is ready to take the next step.

Last June, I participated in the first design charrette, and I spoke to a crowd of 200 elected and business officials and community leaders at the Saint Gobain and YouthBuild kick-off in November. I am eager to see our new young people working on this house. I think it will be a great opportunity for our program to experience the entire rehabilitation of a home.

Right now, we are accepting bids on lead and asbestos demolition and abatement. After that, the house should be ready for construction. We have a lot of work to do and I am eager to start this project.

The project is a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home that is a little over 1500 square feet in the Hamilton Hill community. Since the charrette, our goal has been to earn LEED Silver and an Energy Star rating.

I have been working with our new group and they’re ready to get to work. Once the demolition and abatement is done, we will start construction. Until then, our young people will continue to learn about green construction in the classroom and field.

Akron Summit YouthBuild Hits the Ground Running

YouthBuildUSA — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:41:48 +0000

Akron Summit YouthBuild’s LEED Green Construction TeamAkron Summit YouthBuild Students clearing the way for the soon to be stone slate stoop.Akron Summit YouthBuild students put up a silt fence which is routine for LEED homes, it is environmentally responsible by protecting neighbors from muddy run off.

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YouthBuild Philadelphia in Philadelphia Inquirer

DinaP — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:46:51 +0000

Check out this great article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the YouthBuild Philadelphia project featuring the hybrid insulation approach from CertainTeed:

http://articles.philly.com/2012-04-06/business/31300484_1_third-floor-insulation-energy-efficient-house

Go, Philly, go!!!

Worcester YouthBuild @ State House Day

YouthBuildWorcester — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:43:20 +0000

In solidarity, and to educate lawmakers on the value of YouthBuild programs, Worcester YouthBuild joined its’ comrades on February 27^th, 2012 at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The event hosted YouthBuild students from Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Cambridge, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Quincy and Springfield. Legislators, state officials, past students sharing their inspirational stories and even Dorothy Stoneman, founder and president of YouthBuild USA, were in attendance. Marques Laura, current Worcester YouthBuild student and Student Council Member, was chosen by his peers to represent the program by telling his story. Marques was joined at the podium by fellow student, Terrell Taylor (pictured far right) who lead Worcester YouthBuild in its’ pledge. Attached is the link to Marques’ speech and State House Day pictures. Please take the time to read his words and understand the positive impact that YouthBuild has had on his life.

Marques Laura Speech

A team from the Saint-Gobain family of companies hosts green education session for YouthBuild Akron

DinaP — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:43:10 +0000

Check out this video update on our partnership with YouthBuild YouthBuild Akron by clicking on the photo(right) or on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQiRldyyyZs .

Recently a team of experts from Saint-Gobain’s family of companies met with students at YouthBuild Akron to provide an educational session on building green.

Saint-Gobain experts, including CertainTeed Building Scientist, Lucas Hamilton, Diana Ohl of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, and Kevin Huster of Norandex, provided sustainable building expertise along with an overview of the wide range of high-tech, green building products from the Saint-Gobain family of companies.