Helping at-risk youth get ahead, one swing of the hammer at a time

A company working on Southside Road in St. John's is doing a little bit more than just building a new home for at-risk or homeless youth in the city — its own employees are working to improve their tough personal situations.

"I was in a rough way, and living on my own and not really being able to pay bills and on welfare, and not really doing anything with my life. And they helped me get in the mindset of going to work," said Simon Roth, a crew member with Impact Construction, who got his first start with the company around 2012.

"My first day I didn't know how to use a measuring tape. And now they sort of just leave me be and let me go for the day and tell me what needs to be done, and I'll build it for them."

Roth is just one of Impact Construction's success stories. The company is a division of the non-profit organization Choices For Youth.

It specializes in introducing at-risk youth to the workforce through construction jobs, and using that as a stepping stone to lead to better education or more steady employment.

"Usually people who come to us have never touched a hammer," said project manager Lee Harding, standing amid the framework that will eventually become a six-bedroom transitional home for Choices For Youth clients.

"They've done everything to this point, what you can see ... as far as swinging the hammers and doing all the work that needed to get done to get this job to this point, they're all involved."

Confidence through construction 

While Impact Construction functions as a typical contractor, with deadlines and budgets, it stands out in its dedication to its employees.

"The work culture here is very different than what you'd find for a normal construction company. It really is making sure the young people are getting all the support they need to succeed at work," said Ayon Shahed, Director of Strategic Development with Choices For Youth.

"Because if they succeed at work, they're going to build confidence, they're going to be able to plan their life trajectory and move on to other opportunities."

That personal approach may involve driving employees to doctor appointments, making sure they have enough to eat at lunch, or giving them space when anxiety or fear overrides their ability to work.

"A lot of these young people have a lot of trauma in their lives, a lot of mental health history, and they've been burned a lot of the time in many cases, so the first step is always, let's build that trust," he said.

One crew member clearly identifies with that, although Daniel O'Leary declined to give specifics of a past he's since left behind.

"I was in a pretty bad situation for about three years of my life," he said, adding Impact Construction has given him the organizational framework he lacked.

"Pretty much, I've learned to be an adult, really. I grew up, taking care of my own stuff. Gotta pay your bills, gotta stay on track, right?"

70 per cent success rate

It's not always easy to employ troubled youth, although the managers say about 70 per cent of the people who start with Impact Construction go on to other full-time employment or post-secondary education.

"That's huge for us," said Shahed.

"Our job is obviously to give them skills, give them the chance to move forward with other opportunities. But not everyone's ready for that. These are often very high-risk youth."

The company starts its new hires out on a three-tiered program of responsibility and support to ease the youth into the workplace, and build their skill sets.

"We have to be sustainable. We have to do work on budget, on time," said Harding.

"Even if they don't catch on as quick as that ... we don't oust them right away."

New housing 

The house on Southside Road will help expand Choices For Youth's housing options. The house will be able to hold up to six people, each with their own bedroom, along with common areas so they can practice living independently.

There will also be an office for Choices For Youth staff, who will be in the building on weekdays from 9 to 5 to help them with any problems that arise.

"This is their space, and we kind of check in with them, support them, and beyond what they do at home — because this will be their home for that period of time — it really is, what are the individual goals we can work with them on?" said Shahed.

Shahed said the space and support will help provide the three key things the organization believes everyone needs in order to live well: housing, education, and employment. With those in hand, he hopes the youth have a better shot at a good life ahead.

"We know they're moving on to bigger and better things."