Picking up skills

William Jackson freely admits that when he began his career in construction, he couldn’t even read a tape measure. That was back in January when Striker, as he’s called, entered Educational Service District 101’s Youthbuild Spokane Program, a work training effort operated by the Center for School to Work. Striker, a construction trainee, has now learned everything from framing to finish work.

“I was looking for a way to get my GED and learn a trade. A friend of mine told me it was a real good program. I was a cook for five years, and I wanted to make a change. I was just sitting around doing nothing, going nowhere. I wanted to develop a work history,” said Striker.

Striker, 21, dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. He earned his GED within the first few months of the program and plans to continue his education at Spokane Community College when he finishes the program.

Once students get a high school degree, they can move from the Youthbuild Spokane program into the Spokane Service Team. Both programs help with building around the community, and both are part of AmeriCorps.

Youthbuild Spokane targets 18- to 24-year olds who are high school dropouts and meet certain income levels. Participants spend half their time in a classroom to get their high school diploma or GED and the other half learning the construction trade. The goal of YouthBuild was to assist 20 members before funding runs out in September 2005. So far, 27 members have completed the program.

People 18 to 25 with a high school degree can apply for the Spokane Service Team. Those team members are eligible for $4,725 for college once they finish the program. YouthBuild members receive less, depending on their participation.

There are no income or financial restrictions on who can apply to join the Spokane Service Team, which has completed 260 projects in 12 years. Team members work on affordable housing and capital improvement projects for charitable organizations in Spokane, such as the Mission Outreach community center, Salvation Army and the Peaceful Valley Community Center.

Lakeside High School graduate Jason Overdorff, 19, also heard about the Spokane Service Team program from a friend. At the time he was working at a pizza parlor. “I just wasn’t going anywhere,” said Overdorff.

Overdorff didn’t have any construction background. “I knew how to swing a hammer, but that’s about it. Jim and Chuck (the crew supervisors) are awesome teachers. I’ve learned a lot,” said Overdorff.

The money for college will pay for his dream to attend Full Sail College, a film school in Florida. “I’ll have the money. I might as well use it. I can go somewhere in life. If you learn a trade, you can build houses anywhere,” said Overdorff.

Striker and Overdorff are part of a team that’s building two houses at 35th and Regal.

Crew supervisor Jim Mattocks is like a proud father when he talks about his recent graduates from the two programs. Two of them have obtained employment with a construction firm in Spokane.

Mattocks works with the trainees to teach them not only construction but a good work ethic as well. They learn to follow the rules, show up on time, be courteous and respectful and stay focused.

The learning is hands-on. Mattocks said that his trainees learn about 90 percent of the basics, while the other 10 percent will take years of experience to learn.

Mattocks said that the program gives participants the confidence and the skills they need to get a job. They also learn to teach each other, to become crew leaders for the new trainees that join the program.

Inland Empire Residential Resources, a local nonprofit housing developer, contracted with ESD 101 to build the houses for eight people with special needs. This is the eighth project they have worked on together.

Working with ESD 101 has allowed the developer to be competitive for limited funds in the state trust fund and to do more with less money.

The project at 35th and Regal was the first project that Home Depot volunteers have worked on with Youthbuild and Spokane Service Team. More than 25 Home Depot employees from the Northpointe and Spokane Valley store donated their time for three days last week. They did landscaping and drywall and helped install siding on the two houses. This was part of Home Depot’s “Week of Service” as part of its national celebration of it 25th anniversary.

Applications from young adults (18 to 25 years old) are being accepted to fill 75 AmeriCorps positions ESD 101 received for the new program year, which began Oct. 1. They are available at 1025 W. Indiana Ave. or by calling 456-7660.