HomeAid Houston WORKS Program graduates largest class to date

On June 1, through its HomeAid WORKS Program, HomeAid Houston and the Greater Houston Builders Association celebrated the graduation of 11 students from the WorkTexas Residential Construction Program. The graduates received scholarships to complete three months of construction training classes at assigned locations through HomeAid WORKS partnerships with WorkTexas and the Home Building Institute (HBI).

Pictured left to right: Emmanuel Escot, Director of Student & Alumni Engagement, Muhammad Bilal; HVAC Graduate & Residential Electrical Alumnus; Guadalupe Olivares, Residential Construction Graduate; Christian Nzegwu, HVAC Graduate; Eduardo Gonzalez, Residential Electrical Graduate; Carole Brady, Executive Director of HomeAid Houston; Chandra Topps, HVAC Graduate & Residential Electrical, Plumbing, Mattress Mack School of Selling Alumna; Amanda Garcia, Residential Construction Graduate; Ludovic Hermann, Residential Construction Graduate; Alex Underwood, Residential Construction Graduate; Jose Esquivel, Residential Construction Instructor; Morgan Crowell, Residential Construction Graduate; Muhammad Adagbada, Residential Construction Graduate; and Maiwand Azizi, Residential Construction Graduate.

WorkTexas is a non-profit entity that prepares high school students and adults with the skills they need to enter the workforce ready to contribute immediately to employers’ businesses, as well as advance in that field or another field of their choice. The classes conform to nationally recognized industry standards and result in certifications that will help launch them into the residential construction arena with local building or building service companies. Focus areas include: Brick, Carpentry, Electrical Wiring, Building Construction Technology, HVAC, Landscape, Painting, Plumbing Apprentice, Irrigation, Drywall, Foundation and Trim Work.

The HomeAid WORKS program offers mentorship, tools, and training to vetted individuals wanting to enter the home-building industry. HomeAid WORKS matches these individuals to mentors from the Greater Houston Builders Association member companies, and provides additional resources such as appropriate training, both instructional and on-the-job, transportation assistance, proper attire and gear, and more, to ensure job success and future advancement. Upon program graduation, HomeAid facilitates student’s job placement through its unique relationship with the home-building community as the charitable arm of the Greater Houston Builders Association.

From trainee to trailblazer, Chandra Topps has been building her dreams brick by brick, mastering not just one, but three training programs at WorkTexas. As an entrepreneur turned plumbing, HVAC, and electrical alumna, she’s constructing a legacy with her thriving printing company and growing residential construction company. Guided by the unwavering support of HomeAid Houston’s Works Program, she continues to leverage the network.

WorkTexas’ Director of Student and Alumni Engagement, Emmanuel Escot said, “We are excited to continue collaborating on this meaningful initiative and work together to make a positive impact in our community by supporting our organization’s mission of helping people get jobs, keep jobs, and advance in their careers. WorkTexas prides itself in making partnerships easy. That’s why we are delighted to continue to partner with HomeAid Houston’s HomeAid Works program that has been an amazing resource for our Residential Construction students. By combining the resources and expertise of HomeAid Houston and WorkTexas, we are creating lasting change and empowering individuals to rebuild their lives. With WorkTexas’ extensive network of employers and experience in workforce development,… we can contribute to the success of the HomeAid Works program by assisting individuals in securing stable employment opportunities.”

Improving the lives of economically challenged Houstonians is at the core of HomeAid Houston’s mission “to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement, and education.” Through the HomeAid WORKS Program, HomeAid partners with a number of workforce entities to help build the next generation of skilled construction workers to succeed in Houston’s homebuilding industry. For more information about HomeAid Houston’s WORKS Program visit www.homeaidhouston.org or call 281-970-8970. For more information about WorkTexas, visit www.worktexas.org .