In 2016, Portland YouthBuilders (PYB), with Prosper Portland support, began a process to renovate the PYB campus to meet the needs of its students and create more room for its growing program. Three years later, with incredible support from the community and adaptability from its staff and students, PYB completed a three-component $1.1 million renovation project.
PYB’s main school building improvements include increasing classroom and counseling spaces, creating a student kitchen, and upgrading the building exterior for greater energy efficiency and longevity. The garage of PYB’s Annex house also received a remodel to create much-needed meeting and office space. The Technology Training Program relocated from inner southeast Portland to a leased space within one mile of PYB’s main campus in the Lents neighborhood. This leased space received a complete remodel with help from PYB construction students to create classrooms, offices, a makerspace, and a lounge area. In addition to significant lease savings, the move made it much easier for staff and students to travel between the main campus and the Technology Center.
In addition to Prosper Portland’s early support, PYB received generous assistance from many individuals, corporate supporters led by Walsh Construction and Scott|Edwards Architecture, foundation donors, and faith-based lenders.
Tom Del Savio of PYB said, “Thank you to everyone who made this project possible, creating a space where young people can grow and thrive.”
About Portland YouthBuilders
The mission of Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) is to support young people who are committed to changing their lives to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the workforce and their community.
Founded in 1995, PYB is a non-profit organization that provides education, vocational training in construction and technology, leadership development, and long-term support to low-income youth. Each year, the program serves 200 students and alumni between the ages of 17 and 24 who have not completed high school and face serious barriers to success, including homelessness, interpersonal violence, addiction, hunger, and loss.
