Supporting Skilled Trades Employment for Justice-Involved Scarborough Residents

Justice-involved and justice-affected Scarborough residents face overlapping barriers like prior justice system involvement, interrupted education, trauma, mental health challenges, poverty, and employer stigma. Northpine Foundation has invested in The Oaks Revitalization Association (ORA) to help them move into skilled trades employment.

ORA’s model combines a Mentorship Boot Camp focused on routine, accountability, and readiness; with trade-related training through partners like LiUNA locals and welding schools; and a year of employment transition support covering resumes, interviews, workplace expectations, and retention coaching.

The program also offers wraparound supports including food, transportation, mental health services, tools, and PPE, that are often the difference between completion and drop-off.

The venture will serve participants from a targeted Scarborough geography, and help them move into employment or apprenticeships, testing the approach to produce durable employment results through a disciplined pilot program.