YouthBuild

Seattle tops the nation with the highest number of cranes in the sky. Yet across the country, employers are struggling to find skilled workers to construct their buildings and operate their cranes. YouthCare’s YouthBuild program addresses that gap. YouthBuild is an evidence-based, pre-apprenticeship program certified by the state and run out of South Seattle College’s Georgetown Campus. Of the 260 nationally-affiliated YouthBuild programs across the country, YouthCare’s YouthBuild is one of the only programs to specifically recruit young people experiencing homelessness.

“YouthBuild gave me a safe place to express myself and learn about a new career path that I didn’t know about. I wasn’t sure about carpentry at first, but now I love it!” - YouthBuild Client

Throughout their six months in the program, participants ages 18-24 earn a weekly stipend while studying for their high school diploma or equivalent, gaining skills needed to join the workforce, and giving back to the community by building tiny houses for the Low Income Housing Institute. Approximately thirty students graduate each year with six industry certifications and thirty-eight college credits. Graduates receive nine months of follow-up support, including case management, resume and interview tips, and job placement assistance.

DPR + YouthBuild

We have been partnering with YouthBuild since 2020. The work YouthBuild does to build up young adults in our community is priceless, and ultimately benefits our local construction industry as well.

We’ve supported YouthBuild in many ways, including:

  • Jobsite Tours

  • Annual Grant Donations

  • Trade Partner Shop Tours

  • OSHA 10 Training

  • Enneagram Facilitation

  • Build Projects

  • Event Attendance

  • Graduation gifts and celebration

“It’s awesome - It’s so helpful to me and my own personal growth to help out and be involved in the community. I’ve had a lot of help along the way and love to give back what I can.” - Ted Maines, DPR Senior Superintendent

YouthCare

Mission | YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential.

Vision | YouthCare envisions a community where no young person experiences homelessness, all young people have the opportunity to thrive, and the systems that oppress them are dismantled.

Services | Each young person arrives at YouthCare with a unique story and set of circumstances. For some youth, quick support—a hot meal, a chat with staff, a visit to the clinic—is all they need to move forward. For other young people, the path to stability may look different. Through a combination of individualized services tailored to young people’s needs and a trusting relationship with a caring adult, YouthCare ensures that young people experiencing homelessness achieve long-term stability.