Story #41: Dorothy Stoneman on Breaking Cycles

“If you want to break the cycle of poverty, give these 16- to 24-year-olds hope, opportunity, a pathway, support, love, and some pay for doing something of value for their community, and things will change.” - Dorothy Stoneman

On October 14th, 2011, Dorothy Stoneman, founder and CEO of YouthBuild USA, received the 5th Robert Coles “Call of Service” at Harvard Memorial Church. YouthBuild USA is a program that empowers low-income youth through education and community service.

In her lecture, Stoneman shared her experiences, describing how she has created "hundreds of oases" for marginalized individuals who once believed their futures were bleak. Through YouthBuild, participants engage in building affordable housing while working towards their high school diplomas, fostering a sense of purpose and leadership. Stoneman emphasized the importance of love, respect, and accountability within the program, noting, “At YouthBuild, when they walk in the door, we treat them with so much respect.” She argued that by offering hope and opportunities, young people can break the cycle of poverty and positively impact their communities. 

Read more about Dorothy’s inspiring message in the Harvard Gazette’s summary here.