FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lake Street Works Joins Forces with Urban Ventures to Empower South Minneapolis Youth with Career Opportunities

Minneapolis, MN – 1/1/24 – Lake Street Works, a nonprofit startup that introduces high school seniors to careers in the trades, is excited to announce its new chapter as a program of Urban Ventures, a community development nonprofit dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty in South Minneapolis for over 30 years.

This partnership marks a significant step in providing young individuals with access to high-paying, high-demand jobs through exploratory vocational training. Lake Street Works offers hands-on experience in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC, allowing students to earn a paycheck while they learn and explore future career paths. Students attend class two nights a week for the entirety of their senior year. Graduates of the program have enrolled in college, vocational school, received paid internships, or moved immediately into full-time employment. Two students have received full-need scholarships to Dunwoody Technical College through an innovative partnership between Mortenson Construction, Wallin Education Partners, and Dunwoody.

Joining Urban Ventures’ Cradle-to-Career model of programs, Lake Street Works is set to enhance its offerings and provide even more robust opportunities for students. “Becoming part of Urban Ventures gives Lake Street Works an opportunity to grow and expand with greater stability than we’d have as an independent program,” said Jess Coykendall, Director of Lake Street Works, “and it provides access to resources that will boost what our students and staff can do. UV’s experience and expertise is a enormous help for a relatively young program like ours.”

Dave Hawn, President of Urban Ventures, added, "The collaboration between Lake Street Works and Urban Ventures represents a great opportunity for students in our community. A four-year liberal arts degree is not for everyone; and our economy desperately needs more men and women in the trades. I am thrilled that we now have something to offer students as they explore the possibility of a career in the trades. Jess and his team have built a great program and I look forward to helping them grow it to serve more students in our community. Lake Street Works fills a need for our community and fits perfectly in Urban Ventures mission.” 

This initiative reflects both organizations’ commitment to empowering the youth of South Minneapolis with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in skilled trades and beyond. There are 28 students enrolled in the program this year. Lake Street Works expects to gradually grow the program over the next few years to serve approximately 90 students each year.   

For more information about Lake Street Works and Urban Ventures, please contact:

Luke Trouten
612-545-9874
media@urbanventures.org