We are in the business
of changing lives
For over 25 years, Portland YouthBuilders has helped thousands of young people change their lives through a combination of education, vocational training, counseling, career development, and long term support. The result? Stronger families and stronger communities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support young people who are committed to changing their lives to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the workforce and community.
For many young people, the path to success in life is neither straight nor clear. Portland YouthBuilders offers hope and a second chance at success for young people whose experiences with poverty, violence, drugs, hunger, and loss have interrupted their route to success. Serving over 200 students a year, we offer a program of high school completion, vocational training, counseling, and long term support that helps youth build a new path and a clear vision of success filled with pride, leadership, and commitment to community.
Our YouthBuild Program
PYB’s YouthBuild program offers our full range of services to low-income youth aged 17-24 who want to finish high school, learn a trade, and get help finding a job and launching a career in construction or computer technology.
As a YouthBuild student, you’ll attend classes every day for up to 12 months while earning your GED or high school diploma and getting hands-on experience in construction or technology. But YouthBuild is much more than just a school or a training program – we are a community. At PYB we help our students every step of the way in reaching their goals.
Our Bridge
Program
Our Bridge program is PYB’s answer to the construction industry’s ongoing need for skilled workers. We provide high school graduates between the ages of 18-26 with a short-term intensive construction training program focused on getting them ready to enter the construction industry.
When you enter Portland YouthBuilders’ Bridge program, you’re only nine weeks away from launching your construction career. We’ll even help you land your first construction job. Students attend classes and get hands-on training, all while preparing to apply to an apprenticeship or their first job in the trades.
A Holistic Approach
PYB students are deeply resilient. They’re incredibly motivated. And they’re ready to show the world what they’re made of. By holding our students to high standards while giving them exceptional levels of support, we help underserved youth build their confidence and abilities at the same time.
Academic Development
School looks different at Portland YouthBuilders, and that’s a good thing. In our classrooms, highly trained certified teachers help youth build on their strengths in order to find academic success, while counselors help tackle the issues that may be keeping students from focusing on school.
Career Development
Career development at PYB goes beyond the basics. We help students identify the career path that’s right for them and show them the exact steps to get there. From day one, we work with our students to prepare them for their next step after PYB, whether that’s college or a career.
Counseling and Leadership Development
The majority of PYB’s incredible students are tackling one or more significant challenges – things like poverty, unstable housing, mental health needs, or problems at home. Through our counseling and case management services, Portland YouthBuilders offers youth access to vital resources, a school that is working towards anti-racism and equity, and the knowledge that a community of caring adults will always have their back.
A Holistic Approach
PYB students are deeply resilient. They’re incredibly motivated. And they’re ready to show the world what they’re made of. By holding our students to high standards while giving them exceptional levels of support, we help underserved youth build their confidence and abilities at the same time.
Academic Development
School looks different at Portland YouthBuilders, and that’s a good thing. In our classrooms, highly trained certified teachers help youth build on their strengths in order to find academic success, while counselors help tackle the issues that may be keeping students from focusing on school.
Career Development
Career development at PYB goes beyond the basics. We help students identify the career path that’s right for them and show them the exact steps to get there. From day one, we work with our students to prepare them for their next step after PYB, whether that’s college or a career.
Counseling and Leadership Development
The majority of PYB’s incredible students are tackling one or more significant challenges – things like poverty, unstable housing, mental health needs, or problems at home. Through our counseling and case management services, Portland YouthBuilders offers youth access to vital resources, a school that is working towards anti-racism and equity, and the knowledge that a community of caring adults will always have their back.
About PYB
Founded in 1995, Portland YouthBuilders offers low-income youth a pathway out of poverty through our two main programs, YouthBuild and Bridge. Each year, we provide free education, vocational training, counseling, career development, and long term support services to over 200 students who face significant barriers to success, all within a school culture that embraces equity. Students finish high school, receive training in construction or technology, reduce or eliminate their barriers to success, and get placed in apprenticeships, jobs, or post-secondary education. Graduates continue to receive PYB support after leaving our full-time program.
Bill’s Story
After growing up in a rough neighborhood, the loss of a childhood friend made Bill feel like he needed a fresh start. With the help of a family member he tried a few different times to get his life back but still found himself lacking motivation until one day…
Amber’s Story
Amber joined us as a single mother of two determined to create a better life for herself and her children. The fact is that our rigorous performance and attendance standards are challenging for all students, and particularly difficult for those…
Matt’s Story
Matt knew he wanted to work in the construction industry, he just didn’t know the best way to go about getting his foot in the door. By the time Matt had walked in our doors he had already spent quite a bit of his hard-earned money on a different training program and…
Bill’s Story
After growing up in a rough neighborhood, the loss of a childhood friend made Bill feel like he needed a fresh start. With the help of a family member he tried a few different times to get his life back but still found himself lacking motivation until one day…
Amber’s Story
Amber joined us as a single mother of two determined to create a better life for herself and her children. The fact is that our rigorous performance and attendance standards are challenging for all students, and particularly difficult for those…
PYB is a proud partner of the AmeriCorps and YouthBuild national networks.
Connect with PYB