Press Release
CHICAGO, AUGUST 15 — Ashley Hernandez, a graduate of YouthBuild Lake County, has been nationally recognized for her outstanding leadership through service. Hernandez, 18, was selected from thousands of members across the country to receive one of four awards given out by YouthBuild USA for their annual Spirit of Service Awards.
The winners were announced at the State of YouthBuild USA AmeriCorps and Member Award Presentation on August 15. Hernandez was selected to receive the Alum of the Year award for her commitment to personal growth and serving the Chicago community.
Hernandez came to YouthBuild Lake County with a distinct desire to succeed. She was consistent in her attendance, work and desire to give back. She completed 480 total AmeriCorps hours — the highest in her cohort — and earned multiple credentials in various fields including construction, CPR and customer service. During her time at YouthBuild Lake County, Hernandez also helped beautify the transitional living quarters of a domestic violence shelter for women and children, and led and managed a large group of volunteers to build playgrounds for children.
“Being an AmeriCorps member allowed me to give back, and this Segal AmeriCorps Education Award will better my future,” Hernandez said. “The education award will help with books, a computer and other necessary items for school. I plan to start college this fall.”
“Being an AmeriCorps member allowed me to give back, and this Segal AmeriCorps Education Award will better my future,” Hernandez said. “The education award will help with books, a computer and other necessary items for school. I plan to start college this fall.”
During her first two months at YouthBuild Lake County, Ashley expressed interest in joining the military but was unsure of which branch to explore. She connected with a YouthBuild alum who recently joined the Navy for insight and advice. Hernandez ultimately passed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and, with the help of YouthBuild Lake County’s job developer, she navigated the steps to joining the National Guard.
Now, she is training to be a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) specialist, responding to emergencies involving weapon attacks from other countries and accidents that could affect the public.
“Ashley truly embodies the spirit of service,” said James Humphries, program director at YouthBuild Lake County. “She has dedicated her life to not only serving her community in Lake County, but also the entire nation.”
YouthBuild USA has been an AmeriCorps grantee since AmeriCorps’ inception in 1994. Since then, YouthBuild USA has enrolled more than 51,000 AmeriCorps members who have generated millions of direct service hours, including developing or repairing thousands of units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. More than 13,000 YouthBuild AmeriCorps members have earned their high school equivalency and a total of $43 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards.
Approximately 2,148 YouthBuild AmeriCorps members in 59 programs across 26 states build affordable housing and provide community healthcare, conservation efforts, recycling and sustainability, computer infrastructure, and child development services for individuals and families. Over the next year, YouthBuild AmeriCorps members will provide more than 750,000 direct service hours and will build at least 240 units of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.
YouthBuild USA is the nonprofit support center for a global network of more than 280 local YouthBuild programs in 15 countries, with 223 programs in 47 U.S. states and territories and 61 programs in 14 other countries. With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership. Responding to the urgent need for knowledge, training and opportunity, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources.
“While transforming their lives through service, YouthBuild AmeriCorps members become the leaders they were always meant to be — and that our world needs,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild USA. “We are so proud of Ashley, whose example reverberates across the country. YouthBuild is honored to partner with her in her journey.”
