YouthWorks

YouthWorks is an Albuquerque-based nonprofit that provides education, job training, and support services to young people who are disconnected from school and work, including those experiencing homelessness or involved with the justice system. The organization helps at-risk and opportunity youth gain the skills, experience, and stability they need to build productive lives.

YouthWorks combines several elements into an integrated program: educational support and GED preparation, paid job training through social enterprises and work crews, case management, and connections to housing, healthcare, and other essential services. By offering young people both income and skill-building opportunities, the organization addresses immediate needs while preparing them for longer-term employment and independence.

The organization operates social enterprises and work programs that give participants hands-on experience and a paycheck while contributing to the community. These often include conservation, food, and community service projects that allow young people to develop work habits and skills in a supportive environment. Mentorship and case management help participants navigate personal challenges and stay engaged.

YouthWorks serves young people facing significant barriers, including those who have left school, experienced homelessness, or been involved with the criminal justice system. The organization meets these youth with services designed to remove obstacles and open pathways to education and employment, recognizing that many have faced trauma and instability.

Disconnected youth represent both a challenge and an opportunity for communities, and YouthWorks focuses on reconnecting these young people to education, work, and support systems. Funded through grants, contracts, social enterprise revenue, and donations, the organization works to help vulnerable young people in the Albuquerque area transition into stable, self-sufficient adulthood and reach their potential.