According to the Center for Economic Policy and Research, unemployment rates for Black youth ages 16 to 24 are consistently double the average of white youth in the same age bracket. Lack of access to transportation, job training, and antiblack discrimination in the labor market are some of the most cited contributing factors to this disparity—and they can continue to influence earning potential and job opportunities as young people pursue their careers.

To target this gap, Enterprise Community Loan Fund (ECLF), Enterprise’s community development financial institution (CDFI), provides financing to help community facilities bring critical career and skill building opportunities to the students who need them most. As we observe World Youth Skills Day this July, we celebrate four partners strategically focused on equipping young people with skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

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1. White Center Community HUB: ECLF provided $12 million in financing alongside a New Markets Tax Credit allocation from Enterprise Community Investments for the construction of White Center Community HUB. This new construction of a 26,000-square-foot building will include leasable office and health clinic space for Seattle-area nonprofits and community event space, including a commercial kitchen and café, and classrooms. The HUB will offer a variety of youth services, including workforce training, small business incubation, satellite community college classes, youth tutoring, computer labs, alternative education, and childcare. Read more about the groundbreaking.
2. SBCS: ECLF provided SBCS with $9 million in mini-permanent financing in partnership with Partners for the Common Good to construct 63,000 square foot office and social service center in Chula Vista, California, that offers a wide range of serves for youth. SBCS is one of San Diego County’s largest social services providers, supporting the prosperity of San Diego youth and families. The new center provides shelter services, education, and career development services for youth who previously experienced homelessness or were involved with the foster care or juvenile justice systems. Their goal is to support self-sufficiency and behavioral health and wellness. 
3. Urban Peak the Mothership: ECLF provided $21.0 million in construction financing to Urban Peak Denver through a New Markets Tax Credit leveraged loan for the development of a shelter in Denver that provides comprehensive services for people experiencing homelessness in the age range of 15 to 24. The loan was made in partnership with Mercy Community Capital and Impact Development Fund. The project is expected to serve 600 youth accessing shelter each year, offering 20,194 bed nights per year and 400 people with case managers that will help them access education, employment, medical services, and legal services.
4. CSDC Tech Leadership Academy: ECLF provided a $7 million construction loan to support the development of facility for CSDC Tech Leadership Academy, a successful BIPOC-led charter high school in Albuquerque. ECLF’s financing is allowing the school to relocate from a rented space and grow total enrollment from 310 students to 600 by 2028. The CSDC Tech Leadership Academy seeks to educate and find employment for high-needs students who are not currently served by the traditional public school model. The project also aligns with ECLF’s Equitable Path Forward priorities: 80% of the CSDC Board and 100% of senior school leadership identify as people of color, while 86% of the students are of minority origin.