Waterside Workshops

Waterside Workshops engages youth and the community through hands-on learning in bicycle mechanics, wooden boatbuilding, and outdoor education. Waterside is a safe place for youth to feel heard, gain confidence, develop work skills, and access the tools and resources needed to lead healthy, sustainable lives. Located in Berkeley, CA, Waterside Workshops was established in 2007 to address the disappearance of woodshop, metalshop, and other vocational programs from surrounding schools. While many students are interested in alternative educational pathways that lead to careers in the trades, they are offered few options to meet their personal goals. We saw a need in our community to offer a non-traditional educational space for youth to learn and practice core job skills under the supervision of experienced and caring professionals. Today, Waterside provides flexible, hands-on training in a safe and supportive environment, serving over 300 youth each year. Working in collaboration with schools and partner organizations in the community, we offer holistic support services that help meet our participants’ individual needs. Waterside’s programs are transformative for youth, helping them grow into skilled, engaged, and empowered members of our Bay Area community.