YouthSource
 YouthSource is a youth one-stop center located at WorkSource Renton. It offers a full array of programs for young adults ages 16 to 21 who have dropped out of high school. These programs focus on education, employment, and leadership development. They also provide connections to youth programs, community resources for life stabilization, job readiness and placement services, and comprehensive case management.
Services
Education: YouthSource offers students who have not finished high school the opportunity to learn in a nontraditional setting. In partnership with Renton Technical College, services focus on assisting youth in completing high-school or attaining a GED. These services are:
- Aligned with Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EARLS)
- Contextual learning related to careers
- Open entry/open exit
- Project-based learning
- Self-paced and student-centered
- Small group instruction-focused
Employment: YouthSource employment activities occur along with academic work. Job-seeking youth can access:
- Career exploration with hands-on experiential opportunities and internships in field of interest
- Job placement services
- Job readiness training
- Job retention services
- Job search assistance
Leadership: YouthSource encourages students to develop themselves positively by taking on leadership roles. This takes place through:
- Community/Service Learning
- Interpersonal skill development
- Justice committee/advocacy work
- Life skills training
- Public speaking presentations
- Student council
Programs
YouthSource offers programs designed to meet the needs of young adults who have dropped out of high school and who are looking for education, employment, and leadership opportunities.
To learn more about each program and how to apply for services please contact each of them directly.
Deconstruction Program – A work training program where youth are provided safety and equipment training and then work as a team to take a house down - piece by piece from roof to foundation. The youth are in the program for about 12 weeks, receive minimum wage while working, and gain various life skills and work skills that will serve them well as they transition to full time employment. The houses which are deconstructed have been located in flood plains of the Tolt, Green, and Cedar rivers and purchased by King County in order to do flood plain restoration to reduce future flooding. The YouthSource deconstruction program is able to keep up to 95% of the materials from each house out of a landfill – the materials are reused or recycled.
A video, featuring YouthSource Deconstruction Program participants and environmental advocate Van Jones, which describes this program in more depth, can be seen at http://youtu.be/4zuInnr8mYE.
NOTE: Grant funding for this program ended September 28, 2012. In order to get the program up and running again we need to find additional funding. If you know of a possible funding source please contact Mike Davie immediately at Michael.Davie@kingcounty.gov or 206-205-3512.
Learning and Employment to Achieve Potential (LEAP) - Assists youth who are juvenile-justice involved transition successfully back into the community. This involves education and employment services, supplemented with legal advocacy, mentoring, and violence prevention.
GreenLight Project - A Work Training Program designed to give young adults training and certifications in construction, trades, and green industries.
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