Teens Building the Future Together

Who: Teens ages 13-17
What: FREE program for teens (plus stipend compensation). Teens are required to APPLY to participate, in addition to registration by parents / guardians*
When: Various (see below for more info)
Where: Various (see below for more info)

In Teens Building the Future Together (TBFT), a FREE two-part program beginning in the fall of 2024, teens will develop technical skills while building a Tiny House, broaden their knowledge of potential career pathways connected to engineering and sustainability, and help to teach other kids how to build through free teen-led Tiny House building workshops in their own neighborhoods. 

This program will also prepare participants to be a part of the paid Counselor-in-Training (CIT) opportunity in our Summer 2025 workshops for kids at the Lot.

Through TBFT, teens will build their skills, learn about a variety of career paths, and gain the opportunity for paid employment in the future through a two-part program:

  • In the fall of 2024, teens will learn technical building skills as they build a Tiny House.
  • In spring 2025, participants will learn about different careers and build skills by participating in 4 workshops with industry experts. They will also lead 4 weekend workshops with the Tiny House in their community.
  • Teens will receive a stipend for their participation in the fall ($200) and spring ($150) seasons. The following summer, all teens who successfully completed the TBFT program will be eligible to participate in KoKo’s existing CIT program at the KoKo Lot.

Teens are REQUIRED to participate in all sessions during both seasons! (Minimum 80% attendance expected.)

Registration priority will be offered to participants from:

  • Park Slope Collegiate (Middle or High School)
  • John Jay School for Law
  • MS 88
  • City-As-School
  • Sunset Park High School
  • other teens with demonstrated economic need

This program is funded by The Pinkerton Foundation.

Spring 2025 Program dates and details:

Teens Building the Future Together Career Exploration Workshops:

  • Career Exploration Workshop location: BrooklynWorks office (159 20th St, Brooklyn) unless otherwise announced
  • Program day: Wednesdays
  • Program dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26
  • Program time: 4 – 5:30PM

Teens Building the Future Together Tiny House Community Workshops:

  • Tiny House Community Workshop location(s): to be determined
  • Program day: Saturdays
  • Program dates: 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31
  • Program time: 2 – 4PM
  • NO workshop will be held on 5/24

Program Info:

Teens will work under the supervision of Teaching Artists to design and build the Tiny House. Our Teaching Artists represent a variety of arts experiences and backgrounds. Teens will lead the construction of the Tiny House while getting a front row seat to learning how our Teaching Artists guide, support, and work with kids. 

The fall season will focus on designing and building the Tiny House. Each week we will tackle a new element. Throughout, teens will be asked to consider architectural design and engineering questions about doors and windows, adjusting with each building challenge encountered. After the Tiny House is built, we will move on to painting and adding fun features like shelves and cabinets.

In the spring season, we will bring in special guests to discuss careers that benefit from the skills being taught by KoKo NYC, which may include: architecture, engineering, sanitation and recycling, or renewable energy. From construction workers to architects, the participants will learn how all professions can benefit from a skill set that prioritizes critical thinking, perseverance, collaboration, and confidence.

On Saturdays in the spring season, we will bring the completed Tiny House to the communities that teens live in to provide free workshops for families led by the teens themselves, with support from KoKo teaching artists. 

Questions? Please ask.