Honoring and recognizing the men and women of First Builders, Inc., for their commitment to building a new pathway to viable careers in the construction industry for the City of Philadelphia's next generation of working men and women and labor leaders.

WHEREAS, First Builders Inc., is an independent non-profit community-based organization comprised of union construction professionals and educators committed to bringing the rewarding, uplifting, and life-changing experience of building trades training to underserved communities that have not historically been exposed to these skills. Since its inception, First Builders has embodied the mission to reinforce the message that the Philadelphia Union Building Trades are service organizations for both their membership and the greater community; and

WHEREAS, Through extensive outreach, academic support, and exposure to job site experience and training, First Builders develops the skills of candidates that promote self-confidence and a level of self-motivation that enable candidates to begin the journey to personal and professional success that careers in the construction industry provide; and

WHEREAS, First Builders candidates begin the program with weekly classroom instruction in necessary mathematical skills including basic computation, understanding and using formulas, and recognizing and calculating measurement. Next, candidates work to understand basic algebra and apply it in the recognition and resolution of word problems. First Builders combines these academic skills with classroom exposure to the unique social, safety, and personal responsibility aspects of the construction site; and

WHEREAS, In conjunction with their efforts to encourage and enable “non-traditional” candidates to consider building trades apprenticeships, First Builders member volunteers are committed to improving the community through regularly scheduled service projects such as “Labor to Neighbor.” Through this Program, First Builders students learn to appreciate their own abilities and contribute to their communities by completing weekend projects such as repairing and improving Parks & Recreation properties and assisting distressed homeowners alongside City of Philadelphia agencies and other volunteer organizations. “Labor to Neighbor” allows students to develop the entry-level skills necessary to compete for positions in the Union Apprenticeship Programs that become the springboard to their ultimate career success; and

WHEREAS, In addition to providing community service and showing commitment to diversity in the future city workforce, programs such as “Labor to Neighbor” show the professionalism and energy of First Builders and the union workforce as a whole. Their pre-apprentice trainees gain the opportunity to experience the personal satisfaction and growth that accompanies public service while learning the essential skills that will allow them to secure a prosperous and meaningful career; and

WHEREAS, The members of First Builders have exhibited a keen commitment to educating, training, and sponsoring a new generation of young men and women – people from communities of color, residents from low-income neighborhoods, students seeking an alternative to a four-year traditional education, and those who are dedicated to establishing a new career – all motivated by the goal of self-improvement. As teachers, mentors, social workers, and friends, the men and women of First Builders support the City of Philadelphia’s broader goal of promoting a diverse city workforce, supporting leaders with well-paying family sustaining careers, and making Philadelphia a brighter place for the people who want to stay here to live, work, and raise their families; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and recognizes the men and women of First Builders, Inc., for their commitment to building a new pathway to viable careers in the construction industry for the City of Philadelphia’s next generation of working men and women and labor leaders.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to First Builders, Inc., as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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