Construction Corner Quarterly Newsletter |
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From the desk of Pat Daniels, Executive Director |
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Happy New Year!
As I reflect back on this past year I am filled with gratitude. The Constructing Hope community showed up, and that suggests that despite the challenges and unrest, there is still a belief in community, humanity, interdependence, and the possibility of a positive, more equitable, and just future for us all. I am proud that despite cancelled classes, we were able to graduate 30 pre-apprenticeship trainees. 80% of our Winter 2020 class went to work, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. We provided $24,000 in support to our students and graduates. We raised a record-breaking $647,621. We kicked off our workforce training center expansion. We launched our Building Equity Program. We welcomed new staff members. It was a productive and hopeful year, despite all of the challenges faced.
As I look ahead to what's in store at Constructing Hope in 2021 I am excited! We are looking forward to 4 adult pre-apprenticeship training classes. We are looking forward to continuing our quarterly mentorship events and providing career placement and support services, as well as helping our students and graduates with expungements and license re-instatement through our new building equity program. Things will continue to look a bit different, with our trainings and events likely being virtual due to the pandemic, but together, we will continue to change lives, and work toward a more diverse and equitable construction industry workforce. Thank you for being by our side on the journey!
With gratitude,
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Congratulations to our Fall 2020 Graduates |
Things looked different for our Fall 2020 Class, as we piloted our first virtual pre-apprenticeship training class. Due to pandemic restrictions, many of our "classroom trainings" took place virtually. With proper social distancing measures in place, students were in person the first week of class for their various safety trainings and certifications. We also were able to provide hands-on training for the students with work on the framing, drywall, sheetrock and painting at our workforce training center expansion project. Students virtually toured IBEW, UA 290, L!UNA Local 737, BAC Local 1, Heat and Frost and General Sheet Metal. Additionally, students had an opportunity to tour (in-person following strict Covid-19 guidelines) PNCI, Ironworkers Local 29, and NWCoC.
As a pilot for virtual training, our Fall 2020 class of 13 was smaller than our typical class. 72% of our class were people of color, and 75% were affected by the criminal justice system.
The Constructing Hope family experienced a significant loss during this class. Antonio Sage Rodriguez, was a committed and active participant in our current pre-apprenticeship training class. He was determined and driven to make a positive change in his life for himself and his family. His dreams were cut short when he was struck by a motor vehicle in SE Portland on November 12, 2020. Read our In Memoriam to Antonio here.
Our virtual graduation ceremony was a combined celebration for the Fall 2020 and Winter 2020 classes, and featured a keynote address from Constructing Hope Champion, Dave Dahl. It was wonderful to have our 2020 students together to celebrate their completion, and hear about their career path.
Thanks to PNCI for allowing us to use their facility, Ron Schuetz for traveling during Covid-19 in order to certify our Class with the various OSHA certifications, Reynelda Hayes from All About Flagging, Skyler Stearns Math Instructor with PCC and to all of our other partners that participated both virtually and in-person that helped our students successfully complete the term.
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Virtual Mentoring Event
In true 2020 fashion, we held our first Virtual Mentoring Event on December 7. Our mentoring events are held to give our students and graduates an opportunity to connect with representatives from the trades to have their questions answered on specific topics.
This quarter's event included keynote addresses from Sean Beers, President of Portland Product Werks and Dave Dahl, founder of Dave's Killer Bread. Breakout session discussions focused on two topic areas this quarter: positive workplace culture and how to deal with racism on the jobsite; and preparing for the workforce and networking for your next job.
It was wonderful to have 41 members of the Constructing Hope family with us for this event.
Our next quarterly mentoring event will take place in March. Watch our social media channels for more details!
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Safely Constructing Hope Campaign
We were proud to take part in #GivingTuesday with our Safely Constructing Hope campaign, which highlighted the importance of the certifications our Pre-Apprenticeship students receive and the value they provide for both our graduates and their employers! We also highlighted our belief in a jobsite Safe from Hate.
Our Giving Tuesday goal was to fund safety certifications for 100 Constructing Hope Pre-Apprenticeship students. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we blew past this goal, raising more than $41,000, which will fund safety certifications for 126 pre-apprenticeship trainees!
Learn more about the campaign here.
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Building Equity Program Update
The Building Equity Program is up and running. Several graduates have reached out to make use of the expungement and license reinstatement services. Expungement is a slow process and with the added complications of Covid, it is even slower. We look forward to sharing success stories in the future.
We will be hosting a virtual informational session on Wednesday, January 27th from 6pm to 7pm on Microsoft Teams. To register, please email Lisa at [email protected]. Topics covered will be general information on the expungement process, eligibility, steps, and cost as well as similar information on license reinstatements.
Both Lisa and Krista Shipsey, pro bono Attorney, are excited for the program to keep picking up steam and moving forward to help our graduates and students through these processes.
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Workforce Training Center Expansion Update |
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The Constructing Hope Expansion is well underway! The framers have completed all metal stud framing on the project and are now starting to apply drywall, mud tape. The ceiling repairs and HVAC have been completed in all areas and currently lights are being hung by electricians in the Hands On Training and Classroom areas.
For training purposes, a number of areas of the flooring and walls will remain exposed. These areas have been selected, and plexiglass for viewing has been donated. The concrete sub will be out next week to do a pour back and some trenching in the conference room for the electrician. Bathrooms have been demoed and are awaiting the arrival of new fixtures.
In November we completed four days of hands-on training for the Fall 2020 students thanks to Professional Lath & Plaster and BrothersIC LLC. The students received training with framing, drywall, mud/tape, as well as taping, painting, power washing.
What’s Left?
The roof penetrations are happening this week. Drywall should be completed by the end of January. Doors and windows have been ordered. We will be scheduling the siding contractor to complete siding when we get a few days of dry weather. We also need to complete the ADA ramps, grind & polish.
We are looking for some great artists for this project for an inside & outside mural. If you are an artist interested in being a part of the project, please reach out to Angela .
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Want to support Constructing Hope's mission to rebuild the lives of people in our community? Check out the refreshed Get Involved section on our website!
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Review us for GreatNonprofit's 2021 Top-Ranked Award! It only takes two minutes - click here.
- Help us increase awareness of our work as a Social Media Ambassador!
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Is your company interested in partnering with Constructing Hope to change lives and diversify the workforce in the construction industry? Learn more here.
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Add a giveback component to your next celebration with a personal fundraising page. Learn more here.
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Donate - your gift of any amount helps us to change lives right here in our community!
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January 2021 Story of Hope
Scott - Winter 2015 Graduate
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After Scott received his high school diploma, the cost of continuing his education became a barrier. In need of a job that paid a living wage, Scott enrolled in Constructing Hope. After a challenging start to his training, Scott learned a number of things that are now crucial to his success in the construction industry - jobsite culture, comradery and self-discipline.
Scott is now a Journeyman Carpenter with UBC Local 503, working for JE Dunn. We are so proud of his success, and to be a part of his story!
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Mondays, 1:30 - 2:30pm -
January 27, 2021, 6:00 - 7:00pm
March - Quarterly Mentoring Event
More details coming soon!
April 6 - June 10 - Spring 2021 Class
June 22 - August 26 - Summer 2021 Class
September 7 - November 11 - Fall 2021 Class
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Constructing Hope | 405 NE Church St., Portland, Oregon 97211 |
Phone: (503) 281-1234 | Fax: (503) 719-7685
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