Building Futures: Workforce Development at Charlotte Rescue Mission
Opened on Sunday, June 9, 2024, the Charlotte Rescue Mission’s (CRM) new Beaty Center for Transformation serves as a safe space for men in the Charlotte community to transform their lives. The Center offers an opportunity for residents to rebuild and rewrite their stories, with CRM playing a crucial role in supporting them through their recovery journey. As the program expanded, the need for a larger space led to a joint venture between general contractors Rodgers and RJ Leeper. Together, they constructed a 73,221-square-foot facility featuring a full-size kitchen, exam rooms, a volunteer intake area, residential rooms, offices, fitness spaces, lounge areas, a large chapel, and prayer rooms.
“While we take pride in the new structure that stands five stories tall in Uptown Charlotte, we’re equally proud of the unseen work and success of our workforce development program,” says Rodgers CEO Pat Rodgers.
Empowering Through Skills Training and Direct-Hire Opportunities
The workforce development program, launched in December 2022, is a collaborative effort between Rodgers, RJ Leeper, and CRM, offering CRM graduates comprehensive skills training and direct-hire opportunities in the construction industry. Partnerships with various training providers ensure participants receive high-quality instruction in essential trades such as HVAC, electrical work, drywall installation, and painting. The program starts with 45-minute informational sessions at CRM’s Dove’s Nest and Rebound campuses, introducing residents to job opportunities and skills training in areas like HVAC, electrical work, and forklift operation.
For those with prior construction experience, Rodgers provides a direct-hire route, simplifying the transition from recovery to employment. This process includes an introductory session and a thorough interview to assess each candidate’s readiness and fit for specific roles. By tracking progress and facilitating job placements, we ensure that CRM graduates not only gain employment but also embark on sustainable career paths.
“This program helps graduates get back into society and ultimately gives them a higher quality of life,” says Joe Reece, Senior Superintendent at Rodgers.
Ensuring Smooth Transitions and Quick Placements
The process to get started was simple: residents would express their interest to their case managers, who would then notify Rodgers. Rodgers then held an introductory interview with the graduate before placement, ensuring a smooth transition into their new roles. Rodgers worked very closely with not only our trade partners but also the Charlotte Area Fund, StaffZone, and Charlotte Labor Source to identify open positions and place candidates quickly.
Success Beyond Numbers: Transformative Impact on Lives
The program’s success is evident: 13 CRM graduates were placed into meaningful employment positions, surpassing the initial goal of 10 hires. The real impact, however, is best illustrated through the stories of those involved.
“The program provided a pathway to the construction industry that seemed far out of reach for many CRM graduates,” said Conroy Parchment, Construction Manager at Rodgers. “With our program, residents were able to gain an understanding of the vast options and career opportunities within the construction industry, see it first-hand, and connect directly with numerous trade contractors and other resources within the industry to find their own passion.”
Graduates have been placed in various positions at local companies, including Charlotte Labor Source, Howard Brothers Electric of Charlotte, LLC, Knight Commercial Clean, Precision Walls, Inc., Showalter Construction Company, Inc., Rodgers, Staff Zone, and SteelFab, Inc. This diverse range of placements demonstrates the program’s ability to cater to different skills and interests, providing graduates with tailored opportunities that best fit their career aspirations.
Ray Ridenhour, Foreman at Rodgers and front desk manager at CRM, shared his inspiring journey:
“After graduating from Central Piedmont Community College, I joined Rodgers, and it has been a transformative experience. Many of the men at CRM have watched me turn my life around, seeing me go back to school after 40 years and now proudly work on the new residence hall as a Rodgers team member. The CRM program gives people a second chance, offering hope and direction, while the workforce development program opens doors to opportunities in the construction field that many of us never thought possible. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance and the support of a caring community.”
Continuing the Mission: Future Collaborations and Community Impact
The positive outcomes of this initiative have paved the way for its replication in future projects. Rodgers plans to continue collaborating with CRM and other community organizations, maintaining this vital conduit between CRM residents and potential employment opportunities in construction. By fostering these partnerships, Rodgers aims to sustain and expand our workforce development efforts, contributing to the growth and well-being of the communities we serve.
“The CRM workforce development initiative strongly aligns with our broader diversity and community outreach goal to help address our industry’s dire shortage of skilled labor by introducing traditionally underrepresented populations to construction careers,” says Jenene Seymour, Director of Diversity and Community Engagement at Rodgers. “This is one of many strategies Rodgers has implemented to help grow and diversify the workforce pipeline. The new ideas and lessons learned through our CRM partnership will be applied as we develop future workforce development programs so that we can continuously improve and affect positive change.”
Charlotte Rescue Mission: A Safe Space for New Beginnings
At the heart of this program’s success is the invaluable work of the Charlotte Rescue Mission team. Their enthusiasm for creating new opportunities for the residents they serve and their commitment to restoring lives within the Queen City are truly commendable and life-altering. Their holistic approach to rehabilitation, coupled with the workforce development program, offers a comprehensive support system that empowers individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve lasting success.
As the doors to the Beaty Center for Transformation open, we celebrate not just the completion of a building but the beginning of countless new opportunities for those who’ve had the courage to turn their lives around. Rodgers, along with our dedicated community partners, remain committed to building communities with care and are proud to exemplify how collective efforts can create meaningful, lasting impacts—one life at a time.