Constructing Hope for Vulnerable Portlanders

News Article
[Description] Two people in safety orange safety vests and gloves measure lumber.
Learn more about one of the recipients of Civic Life's Social Equity & Educational Development (SEED) Grant: Constructing Hope
Published

The Social Equity & Educational Development (SEED) Initiatives is the largest city-led grant initiative in the U.S. that prioritizes racial and social equity. The SEED Grant Fund prioritizes BIPOC- and women-led small business initiatives and projects, programs, or services that support economic and educational development of communities most impacted by past cannabis prohibition.
 
The 2021 SEED Grant Fund awarded grants to 17 community organizations, including Constructing Hope. Constructing Hope is a BIPOC-led nonprofit organization that works with Portland residents who are low income, BIPOC, unemployed, or who have experienced the criminal justice system to rebuild our communities by providing skills training and education in the construction industry.
 
One of the greatest challenges facing people reentering our communities is the ability to get a job. Prejudice against people with a criminal record and employment gaps often means they will be outright rejected for a job. Having a criminal record can also legally prevent someone from having certain jobs. Depending on the state law, people with drug or alcohol convictions are often barred from jobs in government, healthcare, education, and bars and restaurants. This is part of a violent cycle of injustice that continually harms our most vulnerable community members.

[Description] An orange arrow turns in a circle, representing a cycle. The first icon on the cycle is a stack of dollar bills, text reads Low Wages & Unemployment. The second icon is an ear of corn, text reads Housing & Food Insecurity. The third icons is an ambulance, text reads Poor Health, Drug Use or Engaging in Crime. The final icon is a house next to a tree, text reads Incarceration or Houselessness.

Constructing Hope provides pre-apprenticeship training to Portlanders looking to enter the construction industry. They administer a free, 10-week program helping participants build the life skills and foundation they need to enter construction trades — like blueprint reading and site safety. The program is led by professional craftspeople and includes classes, tutoring, and testing, followed by real world experience working on actual construction projects. To date, Constructing Hope has trained more than 1,300 graduates and helped place them in jobs.
 
“The more people we can help, the more lives we touch, rippling through them to their families to their communities,” said Director of Development Courtney Jenkins.
 
Though Constructing Hope was originally founded in 1995 as part of Irvington Covenant Church, 2022 marks the organization’s 15th anniversary as an independent organization. To celebrate both their anniversary and Black History Month, Constructing Hope is hosting these free virtual events to honor African American people from Oregon who were and are pioneers in the construction industry:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 16: Building Equity Program will provide information about driver's license reinstatement and Oregon criminal record expungement processes.
  • TBD Date in Feb: Constructing Hope partners with Dovetail Workwear to highlight Amaranta Colindres, one of the local artists commissioned for their mural project.

Learn more about Constructing Hope and how you can get involved here: ConstructingHope.org