Left to right: Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, WorkTexas founder; Cinthia Sandoval, WorkTexas graduate; Jose and Alexis Rodriguez, father and son WorkTexas graduates; and Davina Cunningham, HomeAid America.
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.” In 2022, through its HomeAid WORKS Program, 12 individuals were provided the opportunity to receive scholarships for three months of construction classes at assigned locations through HomeAid WORKS partnerships with WorkTexas and the Home Building Institute (HBI).
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.
Left to right: Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, WorkTexas founder; Cinthia Sandoval, WorkTexas graduate; Jose and Alexis Rodriguez, father and son WorkTexas graduates; and Davina Cunningham, HomeAid America.
Upon program graduation, HomeAid facilitates student’s job placement through its unique relationship with the home-building community as the charitable arm of the GHBA.
WorkTexas’ Director of Student and Alumni Engagement, Emmanuel Escot said, “WorkTexas prides itself in making partnerships easy. That’s why we were delighted to partner with HomeAid Houston’s HomeAid Works program that has been an amazing resource for our students. The support that they receive through HomeAid WORKS is unmatched. One of our recent construction graduates leveraged the strong network provided by HomeAid Works to land a job where she saw a 60% increase in her salary. Not only that, but she was also awarded a scholarship to continue her construction management education. We are truly grateful for the meaningful connections that HomeAid Works affords our students and alumni.”
As the founder of WorkTexas, Jim McIngvale, aka “Mattress Mack,” said, “I want to help more Houstonians get jobs, keep jobs, and advance in their careers. When I see HomeAid Houston and WorkTexas partner to help more people, everyone wins.”
The HomeAid WORKS Program will continue in 2023 as HomeAid partners with a number of workforce entities to help build the next generation of skilled construction workers through the WORKS program.
For more information about the WORKS Program, visit www.homeaidhouston.org or call 281-970-8970. For more information about WorkTexas visit www.worktexas.org .
From left to right are (first row) Laura Nelson - Isaiah 117 House Support Coordinator; Krista Patton - Isaiah 117 House Care Coordinator; Amy Burton - Isaiah 117 House Location Leader; Sarah Miller - Texas State Director for Isaiah House; and (second row) Steve Smith - Chesmar Homes VP Construction; Lawrence Dean - HomeAid Board President; Matthew Reibenstein - GHBA Board President; and Leshia Fisher - Regional Director 6B at CPS.
Cutting the ribbon are first row, left to right: Simone Adkison, Angel Reach; Lawrence Dean, HomeAid Houston; George Lindahl, Angel Reach; Kim Clark, Angel Reach; Dan Alexander, Angel Reach; Carol Watford, Angel Reach; Latonia Jackson, Angel Reach. Second row, left to right: Matthew Reibenstein, GHBA; Megan Wilridge, Angel Reach; Zariah Magee, Angel Reach; Gary Cook, Angel Reach; Franchesca Calhoun, Angel Reach; Dana Robertson, Angel Reach.