F.A.Q.

The Bricks-n-Books Project

F.A.Q.

Listed below is a list of frequently asked questions that we have received from interested parties about the Bricks-n-Books Project. If you have a question that is not answered below, please contact us and we will work diligently to provide you the answer you seek.

1. Is Bricks-n-Books modeled after another program?

YES! The Bricks-n-Books Project is modeled loosely after the successful YouthBuild program, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration for alternative education programs.

2. Can Bricks-n-Books be deployed into any community?

YES, with the right community support and resources. The Bricks-n-Books Project has been designed to be integrated into communities nationwide in partnership with local community-based organizations (CBO) that affiliate with the National Bricks-n-Books Project, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization. When deployed in this way, the implementation and administration of the program itself becomes the responsibility of the CBO. National Bricks-n-Books Project then assumes a more supportive role to the CBO for the duration of the project in the local community.

3. Can individuals of any age participate?

While the a primary focus of the Bricks-n-Books Project is on at-risk youth, ages 16 through 24, the program can be deployed in support of a broader range of ages, depending on the requirements of funding organizations for specific programs. We might also note that.because of labor laws, there will likely be limitations on participants under the age of 18.

4. Has Bricks-n-Books been used before?

As of this date, the program has not been deployed in any community under the name “Bricks-n-Books,” but a pilot project in Tucson, AZ, could be accepting students before the end of 2009. Several other communities have expressed interest in the Bricks-n-Books Project, including Buffalo, NY, Honolulu, HI, and Gary, IN.

5. Are construction trades the only occupational skills offered?

No! The National Bricks-n-Books Project plans to offer additional vocational areas in the near future. The program model should be adaptable to whatever socio-economic factors and industry drivers that may exist within the communities into which it is deployed. One community may be have need of workers in manufacturing industries, another in home healthcare, while another may be heavily in need of workers in the hospitality industry.

6. Is the Bricks-n-Books Project pre-apprenticeship program intended to replace apprenticeship programs
offered by local unions?

No! The Bricks-n-Books Project pre-apprenticeship training program is focused on serving the specific needs of persons defined as “at-risk.” Its objective is to assist these individuals in obtaining basic academic and trade educational skills that will prepare them for enrollment in apprenticeship programs or other post-secondary education programs.

7. What does the program cost per participant and how is it funded?

The cost per participant depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: a) the occupational skills training desired by the participants (e.g., construction versus computer technology), b) the relative costs of the associated services provided by collaborative partners within a community, and c) the number of participants enrolled in the program. An analysis of each of these and other related factors will be made prior to the deployment in each community.

Regarding how the program is funded, National Bricks-n-Books Project, Inc., works with local and national funding sources (banks, foundations, and government agencies) to secure sufficient funds to accommodate the cost on a per-participant basis. Consequently, in most cases, where funding is available, there is neither a cost to affiliate CBOs nor to participants. Where such funding is not available, the eDOPT Fundraising Program offers participants the opportunity to gather the funds by soliciting support from local murchants.

8. What makes Bricks-n-Books different from other alternative education programs?

While it is modeled on the successful YouthBuild programs (as defined by the Department of Labor), which depend heavily upon public and private funding, the Bricks-n-Books Project employs a self-sustainment feature. The self-sustainment feature includes a labor pool that employs program participants who are hired-out at a competitive rate. After compensating program participants, the net profits are passed back into the program to fund future program activities, including enrolling new participants, thereby reducing and ultimately eliminating the need for additional external funding.

9. Has the program model been deployed under another brand?

YES! Any organization desiring to deploy Bricks-n-Books in their name may obtain a license from the National Bricks-n-Books Project, Inc. Click here for more information.

10. Can Bricks-n-Books be deployed by a for-profit organization?

YES. While non-profit organizations tend to offer tax advantage not available through for-profit organizations, many for-profits are recognized for their social enterprise endeavors and, therefore, receive community acceptance.