Now more than ever, we find ourselves looking for good in the world. Fortunately, we don’t have to look far to find organizations, people, and companies who are helping others, communities, and our industry. We’d like to highlight these positive change-makers and the incredible work they’re doing in an effort to inspire each other and challenge ourselves to create positive change in our own communities.
Build UP – Birmingham, AL
We’ve had the privilege to work with Build UP as an industry partner, so we’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact this organization is having on the Birmingham area. The group is not only helping young people in our community achieve a successful future, they’re introducing them to our industry, which has a great need for future builders. On their website, the organization describes itself as a workforce development model that provides low-income youth with career skills through paid apprenticeships and academic coursework. This article gives a great, detailed look into Build UP and the work they are doing every day.
ACE Mentor Program of America – National
Several of our divisions participate with local chapters of the ACE Mentor Program, and many of our employees are ACE mentors. ACE is a free afterschool program designed to inspire and encourage high school students to pursue careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering industry, including skilled trades. Programs like ACE are crucial to our industry, especially now during a labor shortage, to help motivate the next generation of builders to join our industry. ACE has more than 70 chapters in 37 states, and anyone with industry experience and knowledge can help, whether it’s signing up to be a mentor or hosting a group of students for a job site tour. Our industry should support ACE, and any program that is helping inspire young people to consider careers in architecture, construction, and engineering.
Children’s Home Society of Florida – Orlando, FL
For over 10 years, we’ve happily partnered with Children’s Home Society to support their efforts to help keep children safe at home with their families. The organization offers services and support to parents to help empower them to raise healthy children in nurturing homes. There are so many ways to get involved with this incredible organization — from their annual back to school and toy drives to mentoring and tutoring opportunities. Our own volunteers have even been able to use our building experience to help update or upgrade some of their many facilities, like rebuilding an ADA ramp, relocating storage units, or painting the interior rooms of an outdated or new facility.
Lakeshore Foundation – Birmingham, AL
Lakeshore Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Birmingham, AL and their mission is to enable people with physical disability and chronic health conditions to lead healthy, active, and independent lifestyles through physical activity, sport, recreation, advocacy, policy and research. Their vision is to “improve the lives of people with physical disability around the world,” and create an inclusive society that truly benefits everyone. We are longtime, proud building partners and have been fortunate help the organization expand and improve their campus many times. Our teams are incredibly proud to play a small role in the amazing work the Lakeshore Foundation does and the impact they have across the world.
The picture above was taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.
