Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

The Right Tools: Evolve Youth Trades Academy offers students another path forward

Students at Evolve Youth Trades Academy

Workers tend to fall into two general buckets: those who work with their heads and those who work with their hands.

Evolve Youth Trades Academy’s mission is to educate young people about productive career paths that involve using their hands and their minds, while lifting them up and offering them hope.

“We believe that trades are not the last opportunity, but a first choice,” said Patricia Robinson, founder and CEO. “Without a path, students will end up on the streets or incarcerated.”

Evolve Youth Trades Academy provides middle and high school students in the Harrisburg area with training and practical, hands-on experience in the disciplines of carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and graphic design.

But beyond the basics, Evolve offers job training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, life lessons, critical-thinking skills, community awareness, time management training and real-world opportunities, while instilling flexibility, persistence and determination.

Currently, Evolve works with students from the Steelton-Highspire School District, but hopes to expand its reach to other area schools. Evolve also maintains working relationships with the area Home Builders Association, the local home services company H.B. McClure and Lowe’s Home Improvement of Harrisburg.

“We want to make sure that there’s access for all students and that they are able to sustain themselves,” Robinson said. “We have children who are underachieving, and we want a level playing field. If we can give children access to opportunities, the community can thrive. We want to put the right tools in their hands so they can be proud of their sustainability.”

Ultimately, Evolve seeks the elusive win-win-win scenario—happy and productive workers, properly staffed and profitable local businesses and a safe and stable community.

“I have companies coming to me, and they don’t have enough people to fill positions,” said Robinson, a 55-year-old resident of Linglestown. “They’re telling me, ‘We’ll train them. We’ll pay them.’ It’s challenging to find work that fits everybody. People are getting into jobs because they have to, not because they want to, and that’s unhealthy.”

One Path

Four years ago, Robinson was a teacher in the Central Dauphin School District, until one day she felt it “wasn’t enough.” So, in April 2019, she founded Evolve Youth Trades Academy.

“I didn’t choose to start Evolve,” Robinson said. “I really think it kind of chose me.”

She explained that an eighth-grade student told her that he planned to drop out of school, and that inspired her.

“I realized I wasn’t having enough of an effect in the school district,” she said. “My goal is to shape young minds in order to create change.”

Janice Baldwin, a 17-year-old Harrisburg resident, is a testament to what students can attain. Two years ago, she was exposed to a hands-on, little-bit-of-everything course at Evolve, discovering a proclivity for carpentry. She also learned a little bit about herself.

“I love working with my hands and meeting new people,” Baldwin said. “At the school, it’s like a family environment. I think there’s power in confidence. I don’t think people should let others’ doubts and opinions bring you down, because you know yourself better than anyone.”

There are no requirements for acceptance—just an open mind and a natural curiosity for learning. The school accepts students as young as 12.

“We are looking for the underserved, marginalized students who are interested in the trades,” Robinson said. “Not all students are academically inclined. Oftentimes, students’ imaginations are stifled. Trades lead to creativity. There isn’t just one path to success.”

Because when their options are limited, students’ growth is stunted. Faced with decisions that will affect the rest of her life, Baldwin, for one, isn’t closing any doors.

“I plan on going to Penn State-Harrisburg and majoring in biology or science,” she said. “After I finish my years at Penn State, I do plan on getting a carpentry certification. I’m positioned for both. I see no reason to get rid of either.”

Evolve Youth Trades Academy is located at 4309 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.evolvetrades.org, call 717-608-2315 or email info@evolvetrades.org.

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