Spero Family Services

Mount Vernon, IL

Brief History

Founded in 2007 as the United Methodist Children’s Home YouthBuild of Marion and Jefferson County, YouthBuild of South-Central Illinois is a program under Spero Family Services dedicated to empowering young adults. With a mission to provide a second chance and essential skills for future success, the program primarily focuses on training in construction, retail, and hospitality. Since its inception, YouthBuild has expanded its services and, since 2014, has successfully served over 200 youth, offering a diverse range of skills tailored to the needs of its clients. The program equips participants with valuable job skills and fosters a sense of community and belonging. Through strong partnerships and community contributions, YouthBuild of South-Central Illinois remains committed to inclusivity and empowering youth throughout Southern Illinois. Spero Family Services, formerly known as The United Methodist Children’s Home. In 2017 we changed our name, but our faith-based mission, vision, and professional services will remain the same. We are always looking for ways to expand our services to reach even more people in need around this community and many others!

Mission Statement and/or Core Values

Spero Family Services offers hope, help, and healing by providing Christ-centered human services to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals, families, and communities.

 

OUR CORE VALUES

Integrity-Transparency in removing barriers to achieve quality.

CompassionCultivating empathy with kindness and grace.

AcceptanceEmbracing inclusivity through connections of love and support.

RelationshipSupporting nurturing connections.

Empowerment Teaching through experience to foster hope.

Student Demographics

Since 2011 YouthBuild has served 274 participants.

  • 72% male
  • 28% female
  • <1% other
  • 82% white
  • 15% African American
  • 3% other race

Accomplishments

76% of those participants successfully graduated from the program. 120 accomplished a high school diploma/GED. 468 certificates have been obtained. ● 78 achieved CPR Certifications ● 94 achieved NCCER Certifications ● 100 achieved OSHA 10 Certifications ● 77% of participants who graduated had placement in employment within 1 year. ●69% of the participants that had criminal involvement before enrollment did not have repeat involvement.

Programs Offered

College Education Exploration

Mental Health Services

Job Readiness Training

Employment Assistance

Career Training in Construction

Community Involvement

Leadership Development

Hospitality Training

Forklift Training Certificate

Pre-apprenticeship Certification

Career Pathways

YouthBuild of South-Central Illinois offers a clear career pathway in construction, retail, and hospitality:

Secondary Vocational School: Hands-on training in construction, retail, and hospitality.

Entry-Level Positions: Opportunities as laborers, sales associates, or front desk staff.

Two-Year College: Programs in Construction Management, Business Administration, and Hospitality Management.

Four-Year College: Advanced degrees in Construction Engineering, Business Management, and Hospitality Management.

This pathway equips young adults with essential skills and education for successful careers

Success Story

T.B.'s life was filled with pain and uncertainty until he found hope through the YouthBuild program. Walking into the YouthBuild office one rainy day, he carried the weight of his troubled past and bravely shared his story of abuse and a desperate need for belonging. His actions, which landed him in trouble for vandalism, were a cry for help. Determined to change his life, T.B. saw YouthBuild as his opportunity. Despite challenges like being the class clown and struggling with punctuality, the supportive staff helped him stay focused on earning his GED and completing the program. A pivotal moment came during a court appearance when the judge challenged T.B. to rise above his past. This spurred him into action, and he became one of the first graduates in his cohort. On the day he took his final test, he celebrated the birth of his daughter, igniting a deep sense of responsibility. With the help of YouthBuild’s Job Developer, T.B. secured a position at a Shell Gas Station, marking his first step toward financial independence. He later advanced to a job at a local factory, improving his prospects for the future. Additionally, T.B. worked on healing his relationship with his adoptive parents through therapy and mentorship from YouthBuild. Together, they fostered a supportive environment, paving the way for a brighter future. T.B.'s journey exemplifies resilience and the transformative power of support and determination.

Leadership

CEO/CFO: Joe Bernard

618-242-1070 ext 1231

joe.bernard@sperofs.org

 

Chief Program Officer: Mandy Bernard

618-242-1070 ext 1250

mandy.bernard@sperofs.org

 

Program Manager: Cheryl Young

618-242-6723

cheryl.young@sperofs.org

Contact Info

 

Phone Number: 618-242-6723

Fax: (618) 242-9381

Email: spero-yb@sperofs.org

Address: 4618 Broadway St., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Website: https://www.sperofs.org/youthbuild/

Facebook Name: YouthBuild of South Central Illinois

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speroyouthbuild/