The SER YouthBuild Construction Institute congratulates the latest GED recipients of the 2011-2012 Program Year.

 Since the start of the year, SYCI has sent five (5) of its current participants to take the General Educational Development test. After intense study, and persistent practice under the tutelage of Mr. Donald Mullins, GED Instructor/Youth Development Specialist, the trainees were ready to challenge their knowledge in the subjects of Literature and Arts, Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. Testers are required to receive a Composite Score of 2250 or higher to pass the test.

Shaquavia Hall: Shaquavia joined YouthBuild with hopes of earning her GED and making strides towards a brighter future. She is the latest SYCI participant to receive the GED. This month, she presented YouthBuild staff with her results which displayed a passing Composite Score of 2400.

 Robert Ramos: YouthBuild staff has known Robert since enrolling his older brother, Randy Ramos, into SYCI in 2009. Robert was forced to leave high school due to problems with gangs, but after joining SYCI, he earned his GED in little over 3 months. He passed the test in December with a score of 2330.

 Rosa Martinez: Rosa has always felt that she never had what it took to succeed in education. She was surprised to discover that she scored highest in her YouthBuild cohort on her initial assessment tests. She was doubly surprised to know that she has scored the highest GED composite score out of all SYCI participants to date when she earned her GED with a score of 3200.

 Manuel Ortiz: Manuel works as a Patient Transporter at a hospital in Detroit. He has future plans that include owning a home, and becoming a Registered Nurse. Manuel realized that he would never accomplish these goals unless he earned a GED. Now, Manuel has taken his first step towards achieving his goals after passing the GED test with a score of 2490.

 Magic Jackson: Magic was referred to SYCI by his father after a chance meeting with YouthBuild staff at a courthouse in downtown Detroit. Magic felt that he would be challenged mostly by the Math portion of the test, but he eventually passed the Math with one of the highest scores of his cohort. He was the first of the year to receive a GED, passing the test with a Composite Score of 2570.

 The mission of SER YouthBuild Construction Institute (SYCI) is to “unleash the intelligence and positive energy of youth to rebuild their communities and their own lives with a commitment to work, education, family, and citizenship.” The program recruits Detroit youth ages 18-24 to work towards passing the GED examination while building work and social skills by constructing affordable housing for homeless and low-income people.