>> reporter: economics professor mike seeborg has studied those in the program. >> they move back and from skill training and construction to literacy training, working towards their diploma or their g.e.d. and as they do that, many of them see the relevancy more of literacy and math skills. so as they're learning to build homes, they're really building their lives and a future perhaps outside of construction. >> reporter: hands-on is a key youthbuild advantage. >> what do you need to do to make that goal a reality. >> reporter: one-on-one is another. teachers like alicia lenard a youthbuild student herself 14 years ago, are as hard to elude as mentors in a 12-step program. >> if a student is absent for three days, we're convening in the hallways have you seen johnny? where's johnny? and everyone's like oh no. and we track him down and you know even if johnny doesn't want to come to school that day we just go check on him and give him a hug and say we love him and we just need him at school. >> here they take time out to come and help you, like this is the problem and work with you. >