Local 66 members host Boys and Girls Club workshops in Washington

In Washington, a team of volunteers led by the SMART Local 66 Women’s Committee regularly hosts workshops at Boys and Girls Clubs across Snohomish County — educating both participants and the counselors about how fun it can be to work with your hands.

“The kids get the opportunity to build something with their hands, and the parents and counselors get the opportunity to learn about who we are and why it’s awesome being a sheet metal worker,” explained Local 66 member and International Training Institute Recruitment and Retention Specialist Tammy Meyen.

Boys and Girls Clubs provide voluntary after-school programs for young people, offering kids safe spaces where they can have fun, meet mentors and find pathways to good, fulfilling lives. That mission aligns closely with SMART appren­ticeship programs, which help equip members with pathways to rewarding careers — and lives — in the sheet metal trade.

Stephanie Hobbs, a journeyworker and Local 66 Women’s Committee Outreach and Recruitment lead, started organizing workshops with area Boys and Girls Clubs several months ago. Working closely with Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County Director of Life and Workforce Readiness Jordyn Creager, the women’s committee has orga­nized volunteers to host classes at the Everett (Cascade), Arlington, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Tulalip and Sultan clubs, with plans to visit the remaining county clubs in 2026.

“During each class, we share a bit about who we are and what we do as a union,” Hobbs said, “explaining the work behind heating and air systems, roofing, siding and more. The kids then get hands-on experience making metal roses, with stems made from 3/8-inch all-thread, and petals and leaves cut from 24-gauge galvanized steel. They texture and shape the metal with ball-peen hammers, assemble their roses using nuts and washers, and add more depth by bending the petals with pliers to the shape they like.”

By giving local kids hands-on experience with the sheet metal trade — literally — Local 66 volunteers hope to change the lives of Boys and Girls Club attendees and benefit our union.

“The kids, ranging in age from 5 to 18, have shown incredible excitement and pride in their work. It’s been inspiring to see how much they enjoy learning about the trade and creating something they can take home,” Hobbs explained.

“None of this would be possible without the generous support of MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, who have provided all of the materials for every class,” she added. “I’m also deeply grateful to our Local 66 volun­teers who continue to show up, give their time and go above and beyond for these events.”