The Hope VI - YouthBuild program launched a community service project called Operation Community Fix It Up in 2007. Cleo Davis had spent nine years in public housing, before a home was donated by her two sisters. Program participants helped Mrs. Davis by rehabilitating her Terrace Avenue home in Old South Baton Rouge and making it a nice place to live again. “It is very exciting to help a senior citizen move from public housing to a beautifully renovated home,” said Patricia T. Robinson, director of HOPE VI.

Among the volunteers were several students from Volunteer LSU, participating in a day of service called Community Bound. “We were happy to work with HOPE VI and introduce our freshman students to community service,” said Rhonda Rogers, assistant director of the LSU Student Union Program Department. “HOPE VI is a great program that helps move people from public housing while demonstrating the importance of neighbors helping each other.” 

HOPE VI, an $18.6 million East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority grant, is the acronym for Housing Opportunity for People Everywhere. The HOPE VI-YouthBuild Program has two 50-week classes covering classroom education and on-site housing construction skills. Participants receive minimum wage while they get job training. The project’s educational component includes basic education, life skills, independent living, attitudes and behavioral skills, GED Tests preparation and leadership training.

“The program is very successful at training young people to prepare for a career in the local construction industry as well as  helping members of the community, particularly senior citizens,” said Courtney Hunt, Community Service Support Supervisor for Hope VI. “Our participants build leadership skills while assisting with the construction and renovation of homes, apartments and commercial structures in a run-down section of Old South Baton Rouge.”

In 2007, four students of the 12 young adults participating in HOPE VI-YouthBuild Program have received their high-school equivalency diplomas. One of the graduates is Gezeria Bell, age 19, who participated in the renovation of Cleo Davis’ home. Bell said her involvement with the HOPE VI-YouthBuild Program has been great inspiration to work hard and strive for success. “The positive environment helped a lot,” says Bell. “I’m motivated to keep my head up, stay in the program and do what I needed to do to succeed.”

The other three graduates were Jonathan Chester, Taja Sloss and Jeremy Davis.