Pictured L to R: David Gasson, chair of the Building Better Together Steering Committee and vice president and director at Boston Capital; John Valverde, CEO of YouthBuild USA; Alexandria Benson, guest speaker and YouthBuild student from Buffalo, N.Y.; Linda Dorcena Forry, keynote speaker and northeast vice president of diversity, inclusion and community relations at Suffolk Construction; Chris Duverneau, guest speaker and graduate of YouthBuild Boston.

Fundraiser featured special guest speaker Linda Dorcena Forry of Suffolk Construction

Global youth service nonprofit YouthBuild USA celebrated its 13^th annual “Building Better Together” event on Thursday, June 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Nixon Peabody in Boston.

The evening fundraiser event benefitted YouthBuild USA and its network of comprehensive youth service programs that enable out-of-school, unemployed young people to reclaim their education, gain the skills needed for employment and become leaders in their communities. Each “Building Better Together” event features prominent public figures, as well as students and graduates who share their stories of transformation.

This year, Jack Manning, president and CEO of Boston Capital, was the honorary chair. The event’s special guest speaker was Linda Dorcena Forry, northeast vice president of diversity, inclusion and community relations at Suffolk Construction. YouthBuild USA CEO John Valverde highlighted the organization’s impact on youth and the local community. Youth speakers included Alexandria Benson, a current student at The Service Collaborative of WNY in Buffalo, New York, and Chris Duverneau, a graduate of YouthBuild Boston.

The event was generously presented by Rockport Mortgage Corporation. Lead sponsors included The Abrams Management Company, Inc., Boston Capital, Corcoran Jennison Companies, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Schochet Companies, and Van Emden Management. Sponsors are Boston Private Community Investment, CohnReznick, Goulston & Storrs, Holland & Knight, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Nixon Peabody, The Friends of YouthBuild, Stantec, and WinnCompanies. Host sponsors include Boston Financial Management, Dellbrook | JKS, Eastern Bank, The Mastlight, Mooo Restaurant, Northwind Strategies, Novogradac & Company LLP, Preservation of Affordable Housing, Russell Backer, and The HYM Investment Group.

YouthBuild is celebrating 40 years of work advancing its mission to unleash the intelligence and positive energy of young people to transform their lives and rebuild their communities. There are more than 260 YouthBuild programs in the U.S. and 100 programs in 22 countries outside of the U.S. that help unemployed and out-of-school young people attain their High School Equivalency (HSE) or high school diploma. During that time, they also learn career skills by building affordable housing and other community assets in their neighborhoods while engaging in community service and leadership training. Graduates leave prepared for success in postsecondary education, careers and registered apprenticeships — and as a part of a strong and supportive global community.

YouthBuild USA CEO John Valverde was appointed to his role in October 2016, becoming the first previously incarcerated individual to lead a nonprofit with a global mission. Valverde’s personal story of transformation embodies the mission of YouthBuild. While serving 16 years in prison, Valverde earned his college degrees including a master’s degree in Urban Ministry from the New York Theological Seminary; helped teach fellow inmates to read and write; worked as an HIV/AIDS counselor; and spoke out against violence. With about one-third of its students having been convicted of an offense prior to enrolling in YouthBuild USA, Valverde intimately understands their struggles.

About YouthBuild USA

YouthBuild is celebrating 40 years of work advancing its mission to unleash the intelligence and positive energy of young people to transform their lives and rebuild their communities. YouthBuild USA is the global nonprofit support center for 360 local YouthBuild programs operating in 23 countries, with 260 programs in 44 U.S. states and 100 programs in 22 other countries. In YouthBuild programs, unemployed, low-income, and out-of-school young people ages 16 to 24 work toward their high school diploma or equivalency, while learning job skills by building affordable housing and other community assets in their neighborhoods and engaging in community service and leadership training. Proven effective by the most rigorous program evaluation research, YouthBuild’s comprehensive model gives graduates the confidence and tools they need to become strong, responsible and ethical young leaders. For more information, visit www.youthbuild.org.