2017 Community Impact Awards, Youth Development (Small Companies): Juma Ventures

BALLPARK FIGURES: Juma Ventures Site Director Mason Moore, foreground, at Safeco Field with, from left, Maiah Graham, Mark Pasadilla, Brandon Monsegur and Allana Gallagher.

GOLD AWARD: JUMA VENTURES
Location: Seattle | Employees: 5
Top Exec: Mason Moore, site director
juma.org

In just four years, the youth workforce development organization Juma Ventures has hired more than 500 teens and young adults for its social enterprise operations at Safeco Field, CenturyLink Field and Husky Stadium.

The organizations two programs, Pathways and Youth Connect, provide teens and young adults with first-job experiences, teaching them the basics of professionalism.

The youth in our Pathways Program, when they get a job, they get a match [of up to] two to one in a college savings account. For every dollar they raise, Juma will match that, says Moore. Its a great way for them to learn the value of savings and build confidence.

The funds can only be withdrawn through Juma and spent on items such as laptops, tuition, supplies and books. Youth Connect is for people between 18 and 24 who have either dropped out of or been expelled from school, or who found that traditional high school was not the best fit for them.

During a six-month period, participants work up to 32 hours a month at Jumas social enterprise operations and participate in college tours as well as career and financial literacy workshops. Collectively, participating youth have earned more than $1.3 million in wages and saved more than $200,000 for higher education.