For young people experiencing the challenges of homelessness, a job is a gateway to stability and direction. Accessing employment helps young people build confidence and skills while fostering a sense of pride and purpose in their achievements. For youth experiencing homelessness, employment is a critical stepping stone to housing and economic freedom.

Understanding the crucial nature of this issue, Key Bank has made a generous multi-year gift of $150,000 to support YouthCare’s Workforce Development programming. YouthCare’s Workforce Development programming is designed to support young people ages 16 to 24 in the Seattle King County area, who are currently unstably-housed or experiencing homelessness. Key Bank’s impact investment will enable young people to create their own pathways toward long-term self-sufficiency and will help them to develop the skills they need to successfully enter the workforce and pursue their goals by sustaining a living wage.

Every day, YouthCare helps young people gain employment, education, and housing to help them meet their futures. 75% of the young people YouthCare serves identify as BIPOC and 30% identify as LGBTQ+. Many program participants have experienced racial discrimination, bias, or have had negative experiences in education, further underscoring the need for customized, supportive programming to build their confidence and success.

YouthCare’s workforce development programs provide youth participants with intensive individualized case management; access to supportive services that mitigate the challenges of homelessness; financial incentives; classroom curriculum combined with applied and hands-on experience; internship and employment connections with industry partners; and post-program assistance.

“Young people experiencing homelessness often struggle just to meet their basic needs. We are honored by KeyBank’s generous gift, which will help YouthCare programs continue to support young people as they stabilize and then grow their skills, community connections, and career pathways to sustainable and independent futures.”

Audra Laymon, Senior Director of Workforce and Engagement at YouthCare

Our teams gathered on zoom to celebrate Key Bank Foundation’s long-standing commitment to economic access and equity for underserved communities and populations and the life-changing impacts of this investment.

“These programs present a vital channel to give homeless youth a foundation to build long-term stability and allow them to thrive,” says Matt Hill, President and Commercial Banking Sales Leader, Seattle Cascades at Key Bank. “We at Key know that a secure job is the gateway to a solid financial future, and YouthCare’s programs help underserved youth realize their full potential, which in turn builds stronger communities for us all.”

YouthCare is grateful to Key Bank for this unique opportunity to sustain life-changing employment and education programming for young people. Learn more about YouthCare’s workforce development programs here.