This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, talks sustainable youth development with Lynn Rippy, Founder, President & CEO of Blueprint502 - Formerly YouthBuild Louisville (https://blueprint502.org). Lynn has worked for 50 years in youth development, helping open the Louisville Office of Youth Development prior to her work with YouthBuild. We discuss some of the many initiatives and programs that Blueprint502 has underway, including:
1. The Smoketown Community Center - opened June 2025, as a hub for summer learning, connection, and opportunity, with offices and event areas available for rent. - Hosts after-school Summer Program and TECH-nique’s TECH BOSS Summer Program. - Home to Smoketown Next Generation program, an ongoing after-school initiative held M-Th 4-7pm, focused on youth development, safety, and violence prevention. - Operates a Kid’s Café program M-F 3:30-5pm, providing meals to youth ages 11 to 17. 2. Milestones Achieved - Through SummerWorks in 2025, 2,358 young people registered for services, with 1,271 receiving direct support and 212 placed into sponsored jobs. The SummerWorks platform continues to expand, now connecting 262 private employers with more than 4,700 job opportunities. - YouthBuild Louisville celebrated 28 graduates who completed the program and moved forward with stronger skills and clearer career pathways. - Urban Conservation Corps program supported 15 members through successful program completion, while workforce-focused training continued to grow: 30 participants earned certifications through the Brownfields Job Training program, 17 individuals became Certified Apartment Maintenance Technicians, and 139 people received industry-recognized certifications through our HazMat training. 3. Crisis to Stability: The Rapid Growth of a Housing Program - Housing Now Program provides safe, supportive, and empowering environments for young adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Three core components—Transitional Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and Supportive Services. Impact has scaled significantly: 124 served in 2024; 221 in 2025; and on track to serve over 250 more families this year. How You Can Help: a. Become a "Home Starter" Sponsor: Companies and organizations can sponsor "Move-In Kits" for Rapid Rehousing participants. This provides essential household items, furniture, and kitchen supplies to help a young adult turn a new apartment into a true home. b. Mentorship & Professional Coaching: lead workshops on financial literacy, resume building, or mock interviews to help our residents achieve employment stability. c. Direct Financial Support: Directly toward rental deposits, short-term financial assistance, and individualized case management that prevents a crisis from becoming a setback. d. Property Partnerships: Local property managers/landlords partnering with Rapid Rehousing program 4. Strengthening Neighborhoods: Work at Alberta O. Jones Park; annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive and entrepreneurship career fair at Meyzeek; 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Shelby Park. As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com
