For information about Impact NW programs or services, please refer to the list of Regional Service Centers.
For current job openings, click here.
To donate cash, clothing, household items, or furniture, click here.
To donate your vehicle, click here.
For information on volunteering, click here.
For general questions about Impact NW, e-mail us at: info@impactnw.org
Urban Opportunities
Through Urban Opportunities, homeless and at-risk youth enrolled in alternative and under-supported high schools receive job-skills training and are connected with local businesses and employment opportunities. Over a three-month period, each youth completes an accredited curriculum which includes:
- Resume and cover letter building
- Self assessment
- Mock interviews and applications
- Work ethic workshop
- Financial literacy workshop
- Real life job search
- “Hit the Pavement” field trip
- Work experience and evaluations
To provide participants with real work experience, Urban Opportunities partners with local businesses who train youth for 1-2 months in entry-level positions, on a trial basis. During the trial period, Urban Opportunities pays the youth a stipend and offers support. After successfully completing training and the trial period, the youth may become a regular employee of the business if a position is available, or seek other employment with the skills they have gained through the program.
Urban Opportunities also operates the Voodoo Doughnut Van, which provides an employment option for youth that have completed the program.
History
This innovative program was developed by Polly Bangs, founder of Pasta Bangs, a restaurant formerly located on North Mississippi Avenue that provided job training to under-served youth. Pasta Bangs employed nearly 50 youth during its three years of service. In 2007, Polly sold the restaurant and started Urban Opportunities as a spin-off of Pasta Bangs. Now, as a member of Impact Northwest’s diverse and talented staff, Polly continues to contribute her knowledge and experience to the Urban Opportunities program as the Program Manager.