A Year of Rising: YouthBuild Rockford

As the year comes to a close, YouthBuild Rockford stands out as a place where growth, healing, and transformation happens daily. Young people walked through the doors searching for direction, and throughout the year they found mentors, skills, confidence, and community. With the guidance of Stephanie Summers, Section III Program Manager, and the leadership of Calvin Wesley, countless youth connected with programs that reshaped their futures.

This year, RockForWork became a launchpad for youth reclaiming their education and earning credentials in Construction, CDL, CNA, Culinary, and Welding. Each completed certification marked not just a milestone but a new chapter of stability and pride.

Alive & Free supported participants through some of the hardest moments of the year. With compassionate care and evidence-based practices, many youth discovered emotional tools that helped them grow, cope, and move forward with strength.

Throughout the year, ALPHA provided far more than boxing. It offered mentorship, structure, discipline, and peaceful conflict skills to youth ages 11–24 helping them build confidence from the inside out.

YouthBuild Rockford- Comprehensive Community Solutions made this year unforgettable not because of the challenges faced, but because of the courage shown by every young person who chose to rise above them. As we look toward a new year, Stephanie Summers and Calvin Wesley remain ready to connect future participants to these life-changing programs and help them begin their next chapter with purpose and hope.

Learn More about Advancing Opportunity With Section III

Learn More About Section III Pathways to Employment

Learn More About Youth Fair Builds Bridges for Bright Futures: A Section 3 Story