Constructing Careers Black Youth Mentoring ProgramConstructing Careers is the second discipline-specific mentoring program offered by The Blueprint Foundation using funding from the Black United Fund, Oregon Department of Education Youth Development Council, and City of Portland's Community Watershed Stewardship Program. In this program, students learn about careers in green building, trades, and civil engineering while taking an active role in environmental stewardship. Professional and college student mentors of color join students on field trips to construction sites, green infrastructure tours, and wildlife areas.
CC students gain:
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Constructing Careers Sponsors |
Program Details Constructing Careers (CC) uses hands-on training, culture-matched mentoring, and civic engagement to prepare Black youth for careers in green building, trades and civil engineering.
To this end, we exercise best practices for fostering youth-driven community change through a 4-phase WISE model that has youth 1) Witness watershed management issues and industry solutions, 2) Investigate current conditions and pollution mitigation efforts, 3) Solve, a community environmental issue, and 4) Educate their community about green building as it relates to neighborhood and community member health. Program ActivitiesEnvironmental Stewardship: Plant natives,remove
invasives and monitor water quality Field Trips: Construction job shadowing, green infrastructure tours and more Summer Camp: 5 wks learning trades skills, electrical, carpentry, masonry and aeronautics Green Building Seminars: Career exploration and academic planning Community Projects: Build green structures, like an ecoroof or bioswale Teaching: Teach K-8 students about green building and environmental protection |