Support Step Up Construction with a Donation Today!

100% of donations go to Step Up Construction

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100% of donations go to Step Up Construction -

Step Up Construction is a company of Inner City Youth Alive

Both share in ICYA’s mission to bring hope and a future through Christ to youth and families here in the North End.

Step Up Construction is unique in the way it operates because it:

  1. Operates under a Social Enterprise Model

    This means that donations cover “unbillable hours.” Unbillable hours are the time spent supporting crew member development, mentorship, and well-being that cannot be charged to a client but are critical to achieving our social mission.

  2. Centers on social return on investment

    Impact that multiplies: every $1 donated generates $13 in social return within the first two years, increasing to $55 over time.

A tax receipt will be issues from Inner City Youth Alive

Crew Testimonials

“Programs like this give people like us… a chance.”

Meet Aidan


Aidan grew up facing limited opportunities and significant challenges. After joining Step Up Construction, he found purpose, mentorship, and a supportive community that helped him build skills, stability, and a sense of belonging. Today, he is building a better future for himself and his family, demonstrating how the right support can create lasting change.

“I don’t know how to sit here and put into words how much that has changed my life for the better; I’m able to hear things finally.”

Meet David

David joined Step Up Construction in 2025 while seeking steady work to support his family. What he found was more than a job. He found a close-knit community that encouraged personal growth and support. When his hearing aids stopped working, the Step Up crew came together to help purchase replacements, an act that had a life-changing impact. Today, David's story reflects Step Up's commitment to helping young men build brighter futures through mentorship, community, and care.

Commonly Asked Question

  • A construction company would not hire the people we hire.

    • We intentionally create opportunities for youth and adults facing significant barriers to employment.

    • Many of our crew members are overcoming challenges related to poverty, housing instability, trauma, justice involvement, addiction recovery, or long-term unemployment.

    • We provide second chances and walk alongside people as they build a new future. 

    Construction revenue covers projects. Donations cover people.

    • Construction contracts help pay for wages, materials, equipment, and operations.

    • Donations help fund the life-changing support that makes Step Up different.

    • Every donation helps us invest in the person behind the hard hat. 

    Training and mentorship are not billable.

    • Every crew member receives additional coaching, mentoring, safety training, life-skills development, and support.

    • These activities are essential to long-term success but cannot be charged to customers.

    • Donations make these "unbillable" investments possible.

  • Your gift helps provide:

    1. Paid job training

    2. Safety certifications and workplace preparation

    3. Mentorship and coaching

    4. Transportation assistance

    5. Work boots, tools, and protective equipment

    6. Employment readiness training

    7. Case management and support services

    8. Leadership development

    9. Faith-based encouragement and discipleship opportunities

    10. Expansion of opportunities for future crew members

  • Construction contracts outline the scope of work, project timeline, payment terms, responsibilities of each party, quality standards, change procedures, insurance and liability requirements, warranties, dispute resolution processes, and conditions for termination. They define how the project will be completed, paid for, and managed.

  • Building More Than Buildings

    • Manitoba faces a growing shortage of skilled trades workers.

    • At the same time, many talented young people remain locked out of employment opportunities.

    • Step Up addresses both challenges at once.

    • We help fill workforce gaps while creating pathways to lasting employment and stability. 

“I don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for this.”

Meet Morley

Morley joined Step Up Construction after completing three years at Stony Mountain and has been part of the team for the past year. Through Step Up, he found steady work, a supportive community, and the ability to provide for his family while spending time with his two children. The program has given him hope for the future, including the dream of owning his own business, while showing that with support and opportunity, positive change is possible.

A man outdoors wearing a neon yellow and orange safety jacket, using a hammer on a wooden surface, with trees in the background.
A man with glasses, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans, is working on a woodworking project, sketching or measuring on a large piece of wood in a workshop with natural light.
A man wearing a white construction helmet, sunglasses, a neon yellow safety vest, and gloves is carrying a stack of wooden planks in a snowy outdoor forest.
A construction worker in a safety vest and helmet carries a wooden plank on his shoulder in a snowy forest.
A person wearing gloves measures a piece of wood with a tape measure inside a wooden frame on a snowy surface.
Construction workers in safety vests working on a concrete slab with rebar reinforcement at a building site.
A person using a power drill to screw into a wooden surface, wearing work clothing.