On August 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. Media are invited to attend a portion of the event, including the check presentation and student workforce development experience at the Canyon Ridge job site.
“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.”
About Hayden Homes:
Established in Redmond in 1989, Hayden Homes has provided over 25,000 new homes to price-conscious, value-driven homebuyers in underserved, secondary markets throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Hayden Homes continues to be the largest privately-owned new home builder in the Northwest. Hayden Homes exists to Give As You Go, so together we build a strong community, and lead fulfilled lives. Hayden Homes has contributed $6.3 billion to local economies and has created more than 99,000 jobs since the company’s inception. Hayden Homes supports philanthropic efforts in the communities in which they build and have contributed more than $70 million in charitable donations with the flagship of their giving through the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, First Story. To date, First Story has provided 118 families throughout the Pacific Northwest with an affordable home and a first step toward financial freedom. The Hayden Homes brand family of companies includes Simplicity by Hayden Homes, Wise Size Homes and Hayden Homes, all providing an unparalleled selection of opportunities for those looking to purchase a new home.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend exists to help empower all youth, families, and staff to reach their full collective potential. We believe in the right for individuals and communities to have equitable access and opportunity to participate and succeed in all organizations and workplaces, particularly our own. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend serves the Bend community, and our after-school and summer programs are offered to all kids (ages 5-18) — especially those who need us most. Our programs support character and leadership development, healthy lifestyles, and academic success. We focus on children with high needs and living in poverty by providing free to low-cost programs to engage in learning, play, and social development. Last year 222 of the 276 children enrolled in our programs received scholarships, with youth in the Bend community making more than 19,000 visits to the Club.
