Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2018)
Page 6 February 14, 2018 Find Progressive News at The pre-apprenticeship program “Constructing Hope,” a certified African American-owned training fa- cility in northeast Portland offers 180 hours of classes and hands-on training for jobs in construction. Job Training Investment Prosper Portland helps local nonprofit expand www.portlandobserver.com Chicago-Style Steppin Fun, Healthy Social Dance for Couples and Singles. Weekly Classes www.groovinhighsteppers.com Denise Johnson 503-819-4576 Hernandez Williams 206-683-4101 Co-Founders and Instructers The African-American led nonprofit Constructing Hope will expand its construction train- ing facility in northeast Port- land thanks to an investment of $300,000 from Prosper Portland, the city’s economic development agency. Construction Hope provides skill training for people wishing to enter construction careers with middle-class wages and defined benefits Plans for a larger facility will increase the organization’s abil- ity to training more participants, from 100 to 200 annually. The ex- pansion will also support business equity in the community through the use of certified Minority, Women Owned and Emerging Small Business contractors and architects. Constructing Hope will complete funding of the $500,000 project through other grants and community donations. Constructing Hope provides no-cost, 10 week construction training programs, placement services, and career advancement support. Graduates enter con- struction apprenticeships that are the pathways to careers as car- penters, laborers, roofers, elec- tricians, iron workers, masons, painters, sheet metal workers, heavy equipment operators, and HVAC technicians. Last year, the organization placed 83 graduates into employ- ment with an average starting wage was $16.74 hourly. Prior to entering the program these graduates faced barriers like a lack of work experience, little or no advanced education, experience with the criminal jus- tice system, and race discrimina- tion in the workplace. Executive Director Patricia “Pat” Daniels says, “Construc- tion is one of the few industries that will hire people with a crim- inal record. For communities of color, who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, this can be a life saver.” The program works by helping participants move from building small projects like a complex sawhorse to capstone projects like tiny house construction. Par- ticipants get a head start toward employment with transportation support for their first job, driver’s license assistance, professional certifications, tools, work boots, and personal protective equip- ment. At the same time, they learn life skills such as budget- ing, personal goal setting, and ca- reer development strategies. Constructing Hope graduate Raleigh Morrison shared, “With a criminal background, Con- structing Hope gave me opportu- nity I didn’t think was possible. They’ve given me a whole new life.” So inspirational was Mor- rison’s experience and resulting middle-class wage of $26.85 per hour; that two of his sons fol- lowed in his footsteps and are currently working together on a large concrete project. Community members who are unemployed and seeking no-cost construction training can visit constructinghope.org or call the front desk at 503-281-1234.