AntFarm’s YouthCore Wraps a Peak Season and Keeps the Work Going Year-Round

Summer 2025 marked a peak season for YouthCore crews, filled with steady work, community partnerships, and the kind of growth that happens when purpose meets opportunity. Across the region, youth and young adults ages 14 to 24 cleared brush, maintained trails, supported events, and helped property owners care for the places they love. For these young workers, it is more than a paycheck. It is a chance to gain confidence, learn professionalism, and serve their community with pride.

YouthCore is one of AntFarm’s original youth-powered programs, providing paid, mentored job experience year-round. Crews are guided by trained leads who model accountability, teamwork, and problem-solving while ensuring quality results for customers and partners.

“This season showed how powerful that combination can be,” said Neal Hatley, Deputy Director and Workforce Development Director at AntFarm Youth Services. “Our crews are out there in every kind of weather, supporting cities, residents, and businesses. They’re learning to work safely, communicate clearly, and deliver professional results that people notice.”

Partnership in Action

One of this year’s highlights came in August when a YouthCore crew joined the PNWECS team for their Customer Appreciation Day in Sandy. The youth supported setup and takedown, helped customers load purchases, and assisted staff throughout the event.

“PNWECS has supported our mission for years through donations, internships, and advocacy,” AntFarm staff shared. “This gave our crew a chance to engage directly with the community and see what partnership looks like in action.”

The PNWECS team added, “It’s always a joy to see AntFarm’s team in action. We’re proud to support your mission and youth programs.”

Learning Through the Work

Crew Lead Casey said the most rewarding part of his role is watching young people realize they are capable of real results. “I try to lead by example,” he said. “If I’m doing something, I’m doing it right. When people see our crew working, it changes how they see what young people can do.”

Crew member Ryan said the same sense of purpose drives him. “One of my favorite parts is taking something messy and turning it into a place people can enjoy,” he said. “You really see how your effort changes things. It’s not just work; it’s something you’re giving back to the community.”

Service That Hits Home

For local residents Dan and his family, YouthCore’s impact was deeply personal. After his father was paralyzed in a fall, their five-acre property became too much to manage alone. AntFarm’s Outdoor Programs Manager, Shannon Grandy, connected them with a YouthCore crew.

“It has been a blessing for our family,” Dan said. “The crews have helped manage the property so my parents can continue living in the home they worked their whole lives for, in peace and dignity.”

Hatley credits much of that success to Grandy, who joined AntFarm last summer. “Shannon has quickly become the heartbeat of YouthCore,” he said. “She leads with kindness and strength, gets to know each member of the crew personally, and never hesitates to get her hands dirty when needed. Her dedication to our youth and the community shows in everything she does.”

Continuing the Work

As fall settles in, YouthCore crews remain on the job. The program offers affordable, reliable outdoor services year-round, including property cleanup, brush removal, storm preparation, garden support, and restoration work.

“When you hire YouthCore, you’re not just getting a job done,” Casey said. “You’re investing in youth who are learning to show up, solve problems, and lead.”

YouthCore crews are now scheduling fall and winter projects for residential, commercial, and public spaces, including but not limited to leaf clean up, debris removal, deliveries and/or bucking up of firewood, snow shoveling driveways and walkways, and hanging up Christmas lights.

To request a quote or learn more about partnership opportunities, contact AntFarm at 503-668-7962, email info@antfarmyouthservices.com, or visit antfarmyouthservices.com. Every hour of work supports local youth employment, skill development, and a stronger, more connected community.