HomeAid San Diego - WORKS Construction Training Program

By Mary Lydon

HomeAid WORKS (Workforce Opportunities for Rebuilding through Knowledge and Skills) provides technical construction training, education, and job opportunities for people with housing insecurity or at risk of homelessness. The HomeAid WORKS Program aims to provide practical training, career support, and ultimately meaningful employment in the construction industry.

Many people experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness desire to work but lack the structure to succeed and opportunities for meaningful work at a livable wage. The HomeAid WORKS Program was designed to meet this need by providing an introduction to construction to prepare individuals interested in the construction industry with skills and opportunities for employment.

Because of our unique partnership with social service providers that assist in removing barriers to employment, educational programs focused on job readiness, construction industry instructors who provide real-world instruction and guidance, and compassionate jobs providers, the WORKS Program increases the likelihood of graduates gaining sustainable careers and exiting homelessness for good. Ultimately, the program strives to see human beings healed and thriving in whole, productive lives.

HomeAid WORKS is a win-win program developed to provide technical construction training, education, and job opportunities for people at risk of homelessness, experiencing homelessness, or exiting homelessness. It also helps provide new employees to address the critical labor shortage in the home building industry. HomeAid WORKS covers a variety of basic skills including safety, measure and mark, tool and material use, and plan reading. The curriculum in San Diego combines the virtual learning platform TEACH Construction, practical instruction with Lennar staff, and workshops sponsored by Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC).

Here are a few success stories about some of our graduates in San Diego that were placed into jobs:

Elijah, Roberto, Chris, and Daniel were in the first cohort. All of them came from foster programs. Lennar hired all four. They look like different people - confident, happy, healthy.

Destiny grew up in foster homes and had a challenging upbringing, but she was determined to build a prosperous future for herself. She was the first graduate of the second cohort to secure a job. She took the bus and Uber for two months with a grant provided by a foundation. She saved her money to buy a car and has since moved into her own apartment. This experience and her dedication have transformed her.

Chauncey was a homeless veteran. He was living in a shelter at PATH. Chauncey secured a job with a lumber company only two weeks after graduating. He took the bus to work until he could buy a car. PATH then helped him get his own apartment.