When James Faustin walks into a first-grade classroom at Jackson Charter School (JCS), he isn’t just there to read a book. He’s there to build a bridge—between older youth, younger students, and a community determined to help both succeed.
Faustin, a community service specialist with Comprehensive Community Solutions’ (CCS) YouthBuild program, is part of a new partnership supporting United Way Rock River Valley’s (UWRRV) Volunteer Literacy and Mentoring initiative. His name badge may list a job title, but he says his work is rooted in something deeper.
"It means a lot because I'm already working with the older youth. Now I get to bring them here so they can work with younger youth. It's generational for me, and I appreciate it. I couldn't see myself doing anything else." - James Faustin
YouthBuild is a workforce development program that helps young people earn their high school diploma, OSHA and construction certifications, and other career-ready credentials. This year, the program began partnering with Jackson Charter after an initial proposal didn’t get off the ground last year. Now in their fourth week, YouthBuild members come to the school to read with students, mentor them, and assist with classroom activities. During one recent visit, Faustin’s group helped first graders draft design ideas and create balloon floats for an upcoming parade project, as well as find and write 67 words for Jackson’s 67th day of school.
Dan Berman, UWRRV's Youth Opportunity Manager, says that the support and participation of YouthBuild's volunteers is a huge value to the success of this initiative.
“Many of these YouthBuild volunteers recognize the needs and challenges faced by JCS students, with some having been former students there themselves. Getting to have a large number of diverse, passionate, generational volunteers invested in the lives of our local children is incredible and I am so thankful to them.”
Their involvement supports a larger effort launched by United Way in October. Through the new literacy and mentoring program, all 39 first graders at Jackson Charter were paired with dedicated adult mentors for the entire school year.
Each week, students meet with the same caring adult—someone who shows up consistently, listens, and encourages them. Research shows that stability like this boosts confidence, motivation, and long-term success. That combination of literacy support and relationship-building is what United Way hopes will make a lasting difference.
Faustin sees it happening already.
“We’re mentoring them and reading to them,” he said. “It’s about connection.”
And for the students at Jackson—and the young adults Faustin works with—those connections are opening doors to confidence, community, and growth.