newark youth The political debate in Newark hinges on the fate of the city’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, the disabled, the homeless and young people. Pressed together by external forces, they are often pitted against one another, as young adults who qualify through a disability for Section 8 housing live in dwellings also inhabited by retirees, or as homeless people young and old pushing shopping carts on sidewalks come up against young gangs looking to control the streets.

The strong intimidate the weak. The young overpower the old inevitably.

Trying to change the dynamic so youths become as often as possible a life-giving force is the particular mission of YouthBuild Newark, which works with 60 young Newarkers annually, most of whom are either on probation or parole. The federally funded program spear-headed by Sen. John Kerry uses construction as a vehicle, enabling Newarkers between the ages of 16-24 to build homes and build a skill as they re-enter the city after incarceration.