ABOUT US
A lack of economic opportunity for young adults in the Lower Yakima valley led to the creation of Swan Vocational Enterprises (SVE) and its first business opportunity, Swan Graphics, and its new start-up Swan Seed Co.
SVE is a non-profit economic development enterprise, training youth in life, job, and vocational skills.
In addition to providing business experience, we focus on building positive character traits which help predict a wide range of positive life outcomes. The lasting relationships in the workplace of Swan Graphics and Swan Seed Co., bring love, joy, encouragement, and hope. All this is done in a supportive, faith-based environment in which the Good News can impact the lives of all those part of the ministry.
Research shows that adolescent character skills building has a longer term impact on the economic success of a young adult than cognitive skill training. Adolescent brains become less malleable as they age, making it harder to improve learning skills. However, character skills training opens a door to improved future work life outcomes that are significantly more successful. Imagine the benefits that character skills like self-control, grit, a growth-mindset, perseverance, zeal, and curiosity can have on all areas of a young person’s life.
proven outcomes
Scientific studies like Heckman and Kautz’s reinforce the importance of the values and skills we teach at Swan Vocational Enterprises. We can’t solve community issues, but we can help instill character skills that improve how our participants take on learned vocational practices and move forward into the workforce in a positive and constructive manner.
“Workplace-based programs that teach character skills appear to be the most effective remediation interventions for adolescents.”
—FOSTERING AND MEASURING SKILLS: INTERVENTIONS THAT IMPROVE CHARACTER AND COGNITION,
James J Heckman and Tim Kautz