RENO, Nev. – Washoe YouthBuild, The Children’s Cabinet’s youth work experience program, completed one step of its partnership with Habitat for Humanity resulting in one duplex, single-family home in Stead. The relationship with Habitat for Humanity has been ongoing for the past ten years and has been bolstered by the relationship with Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) who provides all the vocational training to Washoe YouthBuild students including the MC3, welding, OSHA-10, first aid, CPR, and HVAC training.
While assisting Habitat for Humanity, the students learned many construction-related skills such as carpentry, roofing, electrical, plumbing, framing, utilities (gas and electric), and concrete.
“The partnership was so impactful for the Washoe YouthBuild students because it allowed them to get hands-on training after their MC3 certification course, The Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) is a comprehensive pre-apprenticeship training curriculum,” said Chris Jones, Project Manager for Washoe YouthBuild. “The participants also got to work with experienced Journeyman and built a low-income home for a family in need. Strength partnerships like the ones with TMCC and Habitat for Humanity enhance workforce development in our community and provide at-promise youth aka opportunity youth, a chance to truly give back to the community.”
“It is important that we give the next generation of our workforce an opportunity to get hands-on experience,” said Christine Price, Executive Director of Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity. “We always need help building affordable homes for our families and our youth need a place to learn. It was a partnership that was made to be. Volunteers are the heart of our mission. Without volunteers, we would not be able to provide affordable homes for families in need.”
In addition to Habitat for Humanity and TMCC, Washoe YouthBuild has community partnerships with Community Services Agency, Laborers Union Local 169, and the American Job Center of Nevada. YouthBuild is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, which The Children’s Cabinet has provided in northern Nevada since 2013. This community-based pre-apprenticeship option provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 18-24 who have previously dropped out of high school.
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