Brewing Job Opportunities for Young People

On any given night, about 1,000 youth and young adults are experiencing homelessness in our region.  

The Y takes on a Whole Person Health approach to help support and ultimately alleviate the barriers youth face, beyond just housing, we center education, health care, mental health and jobs training programs to help younger people flourish. One such program, in partnership with FareStart, is designed to train people 16 to 24 -years- old, who are looking to gain training with expert baristas to support them in learning the craft and seeking employment.  

Markia Arrington, 23, recently spoke with The Seattle Times about her experience, telling them, “I’m actually very, very excited for my future. My goals now, as a person, they’re looking pretty bright.” 

Arrington, who graduated from the eight-week program in March, learned of the program at the Y and embraced the chance to learn something new that would tap into her natural rapport with people and desire to help others. 

“I was just trying to figure out how to get back to the old me,” she said. 

For eight weeks, Arrington took classes in how to work in a coffee shop, customer service, and customer relations, but also classes in self-care, applying for jobs, and business training. 

Arrington plans to use what she learned to start her own eyelash business. 

Learn more about Arrington’s journey through the Barista Training Program by reading the entire article in The Seattle Times. With our partner, FareStart, we’re committed to investing in young people by helping unhoused young adults learn valuable job skills.

Learn more about our work and how you can help.