Transforming the Robin Hotel

Tree Trust YouthBuild is building for vets. This program is more than just a paid training—it is a pathway to transformation, both for young people and the communities they serve. In partnership with the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), our participants are putting their skills to work to build a welcoming home for veterans in need. It all starts in the Tree Trust workshop, where they master the fundamentals of construction—measuring, marking, cutting, and assembling. Then, they bring that knowledge to the job site, turning their hard work into real-world impact. Now, they are taking on an incredible project: revitalizing the Robin Hotel, a place that will soon provide shelter for those who have bravely served our country. Through this work, Tree Trust YouthBuild participants are not just building structures, they are building brighter futures for the whole community.

Building for Vets with MACV

For more than 30 years, the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) has served as the state’s premier nonprofit organization serving veterans. MACV supports veterans experiencing homelessness or facing other challenges. With offices and housing options throughout Minnesota, MACV works to make sure that veterans and their families have access to stable housing, employment opportunities, and other essential supportive resources. Tree Trust YouthBuild is honored to partner with MAVC to transform the lives of our state’s veterans.

“Ending veteran homelessness can only happen when we invest in our communities. MACV’s incredible partnership with Tree Trust empowers young people with valuable career and leadership skills—an investment that strengthens their future and the community.” – MACV COO Jon Lovald

The Historic Robin Hotel

Our trainers first learned about the Robin Hotel renovation project from our partner at the Carpenters Union. The Tree Trust team is excited to work in a space steeped in history. Located in downtown Robbinsdale, the Robin Hotel once housed railroad workers. and was relocated to its current location across the street to make way for a new fire station. With support from generous donors, when it opens in July 2025, it will be more than just a building—it will be a place of stability, support, and hope for those who have served our country.

Tree Trust YouthBuild is Building For Vets

The original hard wood floors creak as participants move drywall through a narrow corridor. Participants working in one room are focused on getting their measurements exact before they begin to cut board to install on the ceiling. Their trainer helps them lift the drywall for installation. In a room across the hall young people are meticulously applying mud to finish drying, only pausing to smile before they get back to work. One participant eagerly shares that he lives in the neighborhood and is excited for the opportunity to strengthen his community.

Meaningful Work Opportunities

The journey from the Tree Trust workshop to the job site is not just hands-on training; it’s an opportunity to create lasting change. Through Tree Trust YouthBuild, young people are not only building structures, but they are also building brighter futures for themselves and their community. Every cut, every measurement, every assembled piece contributes to something bigger that will provide comfort and stability for those in need. Participants arrive each day eager to go beyond the basics, knowing their hard work will have an influence on the lives of people they may never meet. This is more than just job training—it is our mission in action.