Youth Services & Programs

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Programs

Funded by the Department of Labor, WIA youth programs operate year-round and serve low-income youth ages 14-21 who face significant barriers to educational achievement and employment. For in-school youth, they offer academic tutoring, paid summer work experience, leadership and community service projects, and school-year internships. Programs for out-of-school youth emphasize high-school diploma or GED completion, occupational skills training and job search and retention.

The WDC's partner service providers for WIA youth programs are:

Building Futures for Youth Offenders

Thanks to a WDC grant from the Department of Labor, 400 young people who were involved in the court system received comprehensive employment, training and support services. Two youth centers in our community worked directly with the court system to provide case management, education support and work experience to court-involved and at-risk young people.

YouthCare's Orion Center in downtown Seattle and the Multi-Service Center in Federal Way joined YouthSource as full-service youth centers partnering closely with King County Superior Court to get young offenders (16 to 24) back on track with school and skills.

Health Careers for Youth

Since 2003, the WDC has led a series of partnerships with hospitals, colleges, and public schools that start at-risk students, especially bilingual youth of color, on career paths in health care.

We partner with the Washington State Hospital Association, the City of Seattle, several local community colleges, and faculty/staff of Seattle public high schools. Students earn high-school and college credits for basic and CNA (certified nursing assistant) coursework, and are taking the CNA exam as a gateway to a wide range of health care professions.

Learn more about Health Careers for Youth!