CSA's Building Futures tells Ward 8 "you can do it!"

Community Services Agency staff participated in the inaugural Ward 8 Works community event at the R.I.S.E. Center in DC’s Ward 8 last weekend.  “This is part of the Mayor’s New Communities Initiative, to bring providers, residents and contractors together in a concerted effort to put more Ward 8 residents to work in upcoming Ward 8 construction projects,” reports Kathleen McKirchy, CSA’s Executive Director.  She brought along Building Futures program graduate Nancy Taylor (at left in photo), a resident of Ward 8 employed by Washington Gas since 2014, and a member of Teamsters local 96 who spoke to the group to give encouragement. "Push forward, push back," Taylor urged the audience. "Leave your 'BS' behind you; you can do it! It’s worth the hard work to get there." The Building Futures Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program has been a successful venture of the Community Services Agency since 2007. The program recruits, trains and helps DC residents find employment in the construction industry and become journeyworkers through union apprenticeship programs.
- report/photo by Silvia Casaro-Dietert. photo (l-r): Nancy Taylor and Keyonna Pullium, both BF grads, WG employees and IBT Local 96 members.

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