October 2021

Construction Corner
Quarterly Newsletter
From the desk of Pat Daniels, Executive Director
Greetings,
 
Fall is a season of transition, a reminder of the value of change - both of these concepts are such a part of our work at Constructing Hope. Our pre-apprenticeship trainees enter our program in a season of transition, looking to change their future.

I am proud to report that to date we have graduated 33 pre-apprenticeship trainees in 2021. Of those graduates, 15 are in apprenticeships (11 union and 4 non-union) in the following trades: bricklayers, cement masons, roofers, carpentry, electrical, laborers, steamfitters and equipment operators. See below for more detail. Our Fall cohort is underway with 16 committed pre-apprenticeship trainees who are set to graduate on November 22.

We continue to change and grow as an organization as well. Our Workforce Training Center Expansion Project is complete, and we are beginning to move back into our beautiful updated space. We can't wait to get our pre-apprenticeship trainees into the training center for their hands-on training, beginning with the Winter 2021 cohort. We've also welcomed a few new staff members over the last quarter: Rachelle Howard as Interim Outreach Coordinator; Jalil Shamsud-Din as Contracts Manager, Aubrey Yates as Green Training Consortium Facilitator and Ahmed Yusuf as Case Manager. As we work to continue to increase our adult pre-apprenticeship training numbers, we are also busy planning to bring back our youth program in the near future, as well as planning with our PATP consortium partners for the Green Training Program.

It's such an exciting time at Constructing Hope, and we are so grateful for the many partners and community members that are by our side in this important work.
 
With gratitude,
Quarterly Mentoring Event:
Solar Career Expo +
Green Building Event
Join the Oregon Solar + Storage Industries Association (OSSIA) in exploring career opportunities in Solar and Green Building!

The event will commence with a Keynote Delivery followed by various breakout sessions that will include resources for job seekers and providers.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to attend (no cost).
Register here
 
NOTE: Proof of Negative COVID Test within 72 hours or Proof of Vaccine will be checked at registration every time you enter the conference. Masks required at all times inside. 
2021 Pre-Apprenticeship Graduate Update

33 total graduates to date (3 cohorts)

15 graduates are in apprenticeships

5 graduates are in the application
process for apprenticeships

1 graduate is a Green Energy trainee

6 graduates are in pathway jobs

1 graduate is in the application process for a pathway job

3 graduates are working non trade job
Nike Fellowship Program

Last spring, Constructing Hope was honored to be among 8 Portland nonprofits to receive a grant as part of Nike's Black Community Commitment to make a difference in the lives of our Black community. As a part of that grant, the Nike Fellowship Program was established. To date, 16 pre-apprenticeship trainees have been awarded a $5,000 paid program fellowship. These funds are used to help with housing, transportation and other necessary bills, and allows recipients to focus on their training during the 10-week program. We remain extremely grateful to our friends at Nike for their partnership and support of our pre-apprenticeship trainees.

Nike Fellowship Recipient Feature: Michael Asana
Michael originally went through our program back in 2014, but ran into some roadblocks. He ended up in a manufacturing job, operating a plastic molding machine making $16/hour.

In August 2020 he contacted Constructing Hope, to see how he could get re-certified, and decided he wanted to go through the program again.

Michael was a member of our Spring 2021 cohort, and a Nike Fellowship Recipient. The funds received helped him with transportation expenses, bills and tools. He also saved some of the funds so he had money while he was looking for work.

After graduation, Michael started working with the Laborers Union as he was interested in getting more overall exposure to trades as he is very interested in green energy/solar. He is currently averaging $22/hour as a Labor Apprentice, with several jobs being at a higher wage of $33.48/hour. After a few months, he has decided to transfer to the Carpenters Union where he will have more focused training.

We are also proud to have Michael's nephew currently enrolled in our Fall Pre-Apprenticeship Training cohort.
Now Accepting Applications for our Winter 2022
Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program
Are you or someone you know interested in changing your life with a career in the trades paying a true living wage? Now is the time to apply for our Winter 2022 Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program!

STEPS TO APPLY & TIMELINE:
  • Contact Rachelle at [email protected] or 971.352.7348
  • Attend a Virtual Information Session (Tuesday & Thursday at 1:30pm)
  • Application Deadline: December 1, 2021
  • Interviews will be held the week of December 6, 2021
  • Winter 2022 Pre-Apprenticeship Training: January 10 - March 17, 2022
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A Recap of our 1st ever Virtual Event: A Deeper Look at Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Construction Industry Workforce with Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO of SHRM
Our community came together for our first-ever virtual event on October 7, 2021. The program was hosted by our own Board Chair, Mel Jones and included Executive Director, Pat Daniels, Graduate Gerry Jones and our partners from Hoffman Construction and Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO of SHRM delivered an inspiring keynote address.

If you weren't able to join us, you can watch the program at the link below!
The event raised more than $50,000, which covers the cost of our training and support services for 4 pre-apprenticeship trainees. A special shout out to our Event Sponsors: Hoffman Construction, Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Flynn, Home Builders Foundation, IBEW Local 48, City of Portland, HomeForward, JE Dunn, Mortenson, NW Natural, MiTek, Benson Curtain Wall & Glass, Northwest College of Construction and Worksystems.
Save the Date: Giving Tuesday Safely Constructing Hope
It's hard to believe that Giving Tuesday (November 30, 2021) is just over a month away! We're excited about the various ways our community can come together to play a role in the safety certifications and training our pre-apprenticeship trainees receive!

Get Involved:
  • Follow our social channels (links below)
  • Peer to Peer Fundraising - invite YOUR network to support Constructing Hope
  • Make a personal donation
  • and there's more in the works!

Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out to Courtney if you'd like to get involved!
Constructing Hope Awards &

Long-time Constructing Hope friend & champion Donna Hammond featured in Changing the status quo in the trades to build solidarity, Portland Business Journal


Constructing Hope named #13 on the small organization list for 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon, Oregon Business Magazine
Constructing Hope Board Chair, Mel Jones honored with the Leadership Excellence of the Year Award, Business Diversity Institute

The redemption of Dave Dahl, All the Wiser Podcast
October 2021 Story of Hope: Willie - Fall 2015 Graduate
During his time at Constructing Hope, Willie faced numerous challenges. He had recently been released from prison and had a newborn son. Unfortunately, Willie also lost his mother while going through the program, and he said that Constructing Hope was the “glue that held me together.”

Willie is now a carpenter's apprentice at Northwest Scaffolding, with just one more term left until he becomes a journeyman. In the future, Willie wants to open his own business focusing on fencing and decking.

To read more of Willie's inspiring story, visit the Stories of Hope section on our website.
Upcoming Events

Visit our Calendar for additional events!
Constructing Hope | 405 NE Church St., Portland, Oregon 97211 | 
Phone: (503) 281-1234 | Fax: (503) 719-7685
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