Lake Street Works Graduation

In a room full of family, friends, supporters, and partners, dozens of Lake Street Works students graduated from the program, and into a career in the trades.

Before diplomas, Meya stood up. She's a Lake Street Works alum, now an apprentice carpenter. She's told her story before, at a donor event last year, but she had a different reason to be there this time. Her younger brother was graduating. She came back to share what the program meant to her and to watch someone she loves finish the same thing she once wasn't sure she could.

There's not really a better version of that story than the one she told in that room. It was a reminder of the new cycles being created as students are given the opportunity to pursue a better future.

A student explaining the Wall of Trades

Students also walked guests through the Wall of All Trades, a working wall they built over the course of the year using every trade the program covers: carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more. Not a model. The actual work.

Lake Street Works is a 10-month program where students build real trade skills and the life skills to use them. Every graduate is on track to earn a high school diploma and equipped with a Launch Plan so they know what happens next.

We’re grateful to the many industry partners, donors, and volunteers who came alongside these students over the past year to help them build a future worth working for.