Building Futures Lives Up to Name for Grad

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Building Futures Lives Up to Name for Grad(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)For Germaine Wells, the Community Service Agency’s Building Futures program has lived up to its name, helping her establish a new future not only as an electrician, but also as a spokesperson for the life-changing program. She never misses an opportunity to talk up the program, explaining that “Building Futures helped me, so I want to help someone else.” A participant in the fall 2010 Building Futures class, Wells (pictured at left, standing) has since worked on college campuses, military bases, and shopping centers. While she’s faced challenges – from long commutes to layoffs and consistently being the only woman on construction job sites – Wells has succeeded through maintaining a positive attitude and her commitment to hard work. Her personality and story are so effective that the Community Services Agency often calls Wells to help out at recruitment sessions with potential students. At a session held in the spring of 2012, Wells’ “a day in the life” of a tradesperson talk was so compelling that one female applicant immediately applied to the Building Futures program, went on to score 100% on the final class math test and was accepted to the Plumbers Local 5, where she is currently working. Recently, Wells participated in a Building Futures recruitment session at the DC Superior Court, which was initiated by the Mayor’s Liaison Office.  Not only did she bring the son of a family friend she had reconnected with at a recent funeral, but she also addressed the concerns of another young man who was living in a halfway house and worried about the how his criminal background would affect his job prospects in the trades. That candidate decided to apply, was accepted into the January 2013 class and is optimistic that participating in Building Futures will be the bridge to a new chapter in his life, just as it was for Wells. - report by Jennifer Gajdosik; photo courtesy CSA

 

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