Blueprint for Success began in 2005 to assist individuals in obtaining a new, promising livelihood by providing intensive supportive services coupled with educational and vocational training. It is a nine month pre-apprenticeship construction training program which promotes self-sufficiency. Blueprint students learn a marketable trade by studying curriculum based on state and industry standards. Students receive classroom instruction and hands-on experience, culminating in their final project - the complete rehab of an abandoned, inner city property (with assistance and supervision from a local construction company).
Blueprint provides participants with basic carpenter supplies for use during the program including tools and a tool belt. These supplies are given to students as graduation gifts when they complete program. In addition, students are given a monthly stipend. To emulate real world experience and encourage responsibility and commitment, students are not paid for sick leave or vacation time as in most construction jobs.
Blueprint participants also receive intensive supportive services to address other barriers they have to self-sufficiency including:
Case management;
Assistance in finding part-time employment if desired;
Assistance with child care;
Assistance with child support matters;
Financial assistance for emergency rent or utility payments;
Assistance finding suitable housing if necessary; and
Individual or family counseling with an outside professional.
CAA will also serve as an advocate for participants trying to deal with legal matters. In addition, CAA encourages participants to utilize other applicable agency programs, most notably, CAA's Fatherhood Initiative.
Upon graduation from the program, participants who want to enter the construction industry are guaranteed the opportunity to interview for a job in the field. Other participants will be able to use the transferable skills learned - such as communication, work ethic, leadership - while receiving higher education or pursuing other careers.
CAA's Blueprint for Success partners with numerous community organizations and businesses, including:
The City of Cincinnati;
Homesteading and Urban Rehabilitation Corporation, Inc. (HURC);
Allied Construction Industry, Inc.;
The Home Depot;
CincinnatiState Technical and Community College;
Cincinnati Public Schools;
Great Oaks;
Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative, Inc. (GCMI);
Messer Construction;
Triversity, Inc.; and
Sigma Capital, Inc.
Eligibility
To participate, youth must:
Have dropped out of high school, be unemployed, be underemployed, or be an ex-offender;
Be between 18-30 years of age; and
Be residents of the City of Cincinnati.
For more information on Blueprint for Success, contact Youth Services by email or by phone at 513.569.1840 x 1466.
CAA is trying to expand the program to serve all HamiltonCounty youth by broadening the program's funding base. Currently, the majority of Blueprint's funding comes from the City of Cincinnati with additional funding provided by the United Way.
