L&M Custom Builders, Made for Trades Complete Lauren Young Field Dugout Project in Sutherlin

SUTHERLIN, Ore. — Multiple dugout rebuilds at Lauren Young Field has turned into something much bigger for students in Douglas County.

Through the Made for Trades program, local youth spent time on site rebuilding two dugouts at the Lauren Young field while gaining hands-on experience in construction. The project brought together students, contractors, community organizations and local donors in an effort designed to create real pathways into the skilled trades.

The project was completed through a partnership involving Made for Trades, Sutherlin Valley Recreation, L&M Custom Builders, and other local supporters. Building materials were donated by Douglas County Forest Products, with additional support from Long’s Building Supply. Sutherlin Valley Recreation also helped provide funding for materials. Food for the project was donated by Sutherlin Domino’s Pizza, and Streamline Building Maintenance of Sutherlin helped with the painting process.

L&M Custom Builders played a major role in helping guide the work on site.

“Our company is here to make sure the work is done correctly and safely,” Becca Todd-Miller of L&M Custom Builders said.

By the final day of construction, organizers said the project was about more than improving the ballfield. It also gave students a chance to work in a real job-site environment and learn what a future in the trades can look like.

Terry Brock, president of the Sutherlin Throwdown and the Made for Trades program, said the effort was created to help young people explore trade careers, whether they already know what they want to do or are still figuring it out.

“The Made for Trades is a mentoring and a scholarship program that we put together so that we can help people get into a trade,” Brock said. “Whether they know what they want to do or not, we try to give them an opportunity to get out, work with their hands, learn a little bit, learn if they like to work outside, if they like to work with their hands, if they like to do that kind of work.”

Brock said the program grew out of the Sutherlin Throwdown after organizers realized many people did not fully understand the event also supported scholarships and trade opportunities for students.

Last year, Brock said, the group launched a live build as a way to show the public what the program is about. This year’s dugout project continued that approach, giving students another opportunity to build skills in front of the community while contributing to a project that will serve local families for years to come.

Organizers said the program gives students something that can be hard to get before entering the workforce: real-world experience.

“Real world experience shows to employers that you care to bring something to the table,” Brock said. “And it makes you more employable and it is a competitive workforce out there and it’s a great learning tool for them.”

Val Miller, one of the owners of L&M Custom Builders, said the experience also helps students build confidence by working alongside contractors and learning how to carry themselves on a job site.

“It’s confidence building,” he said. “The more that these guys are out here in front of guys like me, hopefully other contractors if you want to get involved in this, that these guys are used to being around us and what it’s like.”

He said students often begin the program quiet and unsure of themselves, but grow more comfortable over time.

“These guys come out and they’re really timid, really shy at first, and then a few months after they’re with us, they’re like one of the guys,” he said. “They can really blend into the job site.”

For students, the lessons go beyond tools and framing.

Thor McCoy, a senior at Days Creek Charter School, said one of his favorite parts of the experience has been learning the terminology and structure of framing.

“By far, my favorite part about doing this is learning the dynamic of framing, all the key terms and words and phrases that they use,” McCoy said. “It’s just a new dynamic that I can get introduced to, and it’s a really good and cool thing to learn at this age.”

McCoy said he plans to pursue an electrical apprenticeship after high school and later become a journeyman electrician. He said the program gives students valuable experience they can use when applying for jobs or future opportunities.

“Other students should consider being part of this program because it looks really good on applications,” McCoy said. “It gets your name out there. It gets people to know you.”

He said one of the most surprising parts of the experience has been the teamwork and mentorship that develop while working alongside adults in the field.

“Something that I’ve learned here that really surprised me was the dynamic with team members,” McCoy said. “It goes past not just the job, but it goes into life and stuff like that.”

Organizers said scholarship support remains a major part of the program, helping students pursue tools, training and other approved career-related expenses as they move toward trade work.

“There’s more to it than just framing,” Brock said. “There’s some kids here that want to do welding. There’s electricians. So if you guys have ideas, please bring them to the table, and let’s keep building this program together.”

For more images, visit our previous article located here.