By CatholicPhilly staff • Posted October 15, 2024

The first cohort of an archdiocesan trade education program are taking their newly acquired skills out into the world, thanks to Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Youth Skills Building Program.

Launched earlier this year, the program based in South Philadelphia provides youth ages 13-18 from neighborhoods heavily impacted by poverty and violence with an opportunity to acquire new job skills in carpentry and home repair while learning financial literacy and social-emotional skills.

The young adults were awarded their certificates — and their own personal tool kits —  in a Oct. 7 graduation ceremony at the program’s home in the former St. Gabriel Parish Elementary School building in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry section. Read our feature story on the program here.