By Sue Denny • Posted May 18, 2026

Ken Whalen knows about second chances.

Expelled from school in 6^th grade, Ken went on to graduate from high school and college, teach building trades in the public school system, and own a successful construction business for more than three decades.

He credits a woodshop class for his turnabout.

In March 2024, Ken found himself at a professional crossroads, praying for guidance at Saturday night mass. “I said, ‘Jesus, let me know where I’m supposed to be next. If it’s your will to be in the classroom, it will happen.’”

Two days later, he read about a new ministry for youth living in neighborhoods heavily impacted by poverty and violence. Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (CCoP) was seeking an instructor to teach construction and home repair skills. “I felt like the description was written just for me,” Ken recalled.

Two years later, he is a supervisor and primary instructor with the Youth Skills Building Program (YSBP), a collaboration of CCoP, the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services, and St. Gabriel Parish in South Philadelphia.

Since the program’s launch in April 2024, 32 teens in three cohorts have graduated; a fourth cohort is underway.

“This program is their baseline education into the trades,” said program creator and director Alan Speed. “Then we try to get them to matriculate into more advanced training.” Two recent graduates are enrolled in the carpentry program at Orleans Technical College while another is studying real estate at Temple University.

“We’ve had quite a few kids who have a lot of talent,” Ken said. Chase, 18, is one of them. He came from a troubled background and was quiet and reserved when he joined the second cohort; within weeks, he was flourishing. Now he has an internship with an electrician and a side hustle doing weatherization projects, Ken said proudly.

At the heart of Catholic social teaching is the belief that every person, regardless of their behavior or ability, has inherent dignity. Asked how his faith plays a role in his work, Ken responded: “Jesus tells us to be kind and be patient and be respectful to everyone. That’s what I try to do every day—meet these kids where they are.”

The YSBP’s overarching goal to help young people facing challenges become independent, responsible, and productive men and women, Alan said. It is housed in the former St. Gabriel Elementary School in Grays Ferry.

Over 26 weeks, young people ages 13-18 learn carpentry, electrical work, concrete skills, home repairs, and property maintenance. A social worker teaches life skills such as conflict resolution and financial literacy.

Beyond skill development, the YSBP aims to mitigate the negative effects of gun violence; exposure can impact teens’ school performance and psychological well-being. The program motto is: “Guns Down, Tools Up.”

Some participants have witnessed the shooting of a family member or friend; a few have been involved in the juvenile justice system. “They had to go to court, they were convicted, and now they are given a second chance to get it right,” Alan said.

With redemption and renewal central concepts of the Catholic faith, CCoP is committed to providing support and opportunities for people seeking a second chance.

The YSBP selection process involves an application and a personal interview with the teen and their parent or guardian. “We don’t discount them if they have a checkered past,” Alan said. “The question is: Are they ready to turn around?”

Once accepted, students receive meals, transportation, and a weekly stipend of $15 an hour. The program operates after school and during the summer months.

Most teens “make a concerted effort to turn over a new leaf,” Alan said. The biggest change he’s observed is greater confidence and a belief in their own abilities. “They are surprised they can do so much with their hands when they see the results.”

Ken still recalls his mother’s reaction when he presented her with a wooden shelf he built in that middle school woodshop class more than 40 years ago. “You would have thought that I gave her a million dollars. It was at that point that I knew I had purpose and value,” he said. “To this day, I’m still building.”

And, he’s passing along his skills and knowledge to young people, like Chase, in need of second chances. “I’m hoping he’ll come back in a couple of years and take over my position,” Ken said.

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This piece was previously published in Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s 2024-2025 Annual Report. View the full report here.