On Aug. 7, Hayden Homes and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend will partner together on an exciting and educational Workforce Wednesday experience for more than a dozen middle schoolers taking part in the organization’s summer program. Students will visit a Hayden Homes job site before returning to a training facility to make toolboxes and learn about careers in the construction industry.
The event will begin at Hayden Homes’ model home in Canyon Ridge where a $60,000 check will be presented to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend to support youth scholarships and support staff training initiatives.
“We are honored to support the enriching experiences provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend to the youth of our region’s working families,” said Deb Flagan, vice president of community engagement and giving. “Our mission is to Give As You Go
so together we build a strong community, and lead fulfilled lives. The Club is a valuable community organization helping to achieve that vision for many families throughout Central Oregon.”
The Workforce Wednesday program was created to provide youth from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds the opportunity to explore a variety of careers at an early age and gain experience in a variety of environments–a strategy that leads to personal growth and development.
The day-long event with Hayden Homes will begin at the model home with the safety demonstration, lessons in tool usage, and a nail driving competition. The students will visit Canyon Ridge homes currently under construction and check out heavy machinery as they learn about the building industry. Students will then visit a training facility at Hayden Homes’ main campus in Redmond where they will learn about many different types of construction-related jobs and play trivia games about topics related to the trades.
The students will then build their own mini construction project, a toolbox that they will get to keep. After the activity the youth will enjoy a pizza lunch before heading back to the Boys & Girls Club in Bend.
“Our partnership with Hayden Homes is truly transformative for the youth we serve,” said Bess Goggins, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend. “Their generous financial support allows us to expand our reach and provide exceptional, low-cost programming that empowers families. Moreover, the hands-on experience and mentorship provided by Hayden Homes’ team offer our students a unique glimpse into the construction industry, sparking curiosity and potential career aspirations. This day of interactive learning and engagement is invaluable and has the potential to inspire and shape the future of these young minds for years to come.”
