Pathfinder Manufacturing (WFDC)

Pathfinder Manufacturing's program goals are threefold. First we strive to keep kids in school to receive their high school diploma while helping to build a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem in them. Secondly, we want to help them learn the skills that will help them be an asset to future employers. Among those skills are being on time, working as a team and giving a full day's work for a full day's pay. The last goal is multi-faceted-teach them a work skill that promises a living wage for future independence and financial stability or help them believe that they can learn and guide them forward into further educational exploration and study. In addition to the technical skills studied in our classroom and then applied in hands-on work on the production floor, students earn high school credits toward their high school graduation. Once students move from the classroom to the production floor they begin to earn a stipend equal to Washington state minimum wage.the program serves as both a stepping stone and safety net to vulnerable, at-risk youth at the brink of young adulthood. We have designed our program model to assure an alternative model for this difficult to serve youth is in place to make a positive difference in those lives.