UNCOMMON CONSTRUCTION CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY BASH WITH HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS

Organization celebrates ten years of supporting hundreds of youth to pursue career or continuing education after high school

NEW ORLEANS, LA— unCommon Construction (uCC), a nonprofit that uses the build process to empower youth to join the trades or continue their education after graduating high school, celebrated their tenth Birthday Bash, September 21 at the Marigny Opera House, with over 250 attendees.

Over the course of a semester, uCC apprentices, aged 16-20, learn valuable trade skills and “soft skills” while building a house or another project. Currently, the organization serves 75 apprentices each year at their headquarters in New Orleans and in their new site in Minneapolis. Apprentices receive hourly pay, school credit and a matching  scholarship upon completion. 

uCC highlighted the success of its alumni, like Charlotte Lundy who used her scholarship to build her own business that helped support her as she pursues her Masters of Architecture degree.

Charlotte Lundy

“As a black woman, this journey has been one of resilience and determination, as black women represent only 2% of architects nationwide. Surprisingly, this 2% figure is higher than it was two decades ago when black women architects represented only 0.5% of the industry, “ Lundy said. “UnCommon played a pivotal role in shaping that path for me to become a part of the 2%.”

The event also highlighted uCC’s forthcoming campus expansion in New Orleans. The unCommon Campus will be a $3.5 million project that includes spaces for youth and adults to come together to learn more about the construction trades, continue their training, and earn certifications.

The event featured a silent auction, live band and a VIP patron party for special guests, sponsors, and Industry Circle partners. uCC’s Greater New Orleans Industry Circle includes locally based companies who provide philanthropic support as well as mentoring, engagement and employment opportunities for apprentices. 

Pictured from Left to Right: Arthur pulitzer, aaron frumin, sandra pulitzer, ben frumin and alexa pulitzer

“We are thrilled to have everyone in the room together,” said CEO Aaron Frumin. “To see all of unCommon Construction’s community who have come out to celebrate ten years of impact is so moving and truly monumental, especially as we enter a new phase of growth to deepen our impact in our New Orleans community.”

spencer grant, mpls site director and charie gill, mpls advisory team member p

Sponsors of the event included Pelican Playgrounds, First Horizon Bank, LP Building Solutions, Gibbs Construction, Ryan Gootee General Contractors, freeGulliver, Perrier Esquerre Contractors, DNAworkshop, 84 Lumber, SVN Urban Properties, Solomon Group, Riess LeMieux, Concordia, DM Steib LLC, Title Stream, Amanda Price Events, Sazerac/Goldring Family Foundation and Joe’s Septic Contractors. 

About unCommon Construction
unCommon Construction (uCC) is a nonprofit that uses the build process to empower youth to lead the workforce after high school or college. Through the apprenticeship program, students earn hourly pay and high school credits by working alongside a diverse team of students, educators, and industry professionals to build a house or other construction project. Along the way, apprentices gain valuable professional and leadership skills, and access to industry networks. Since its founding in 2015, uCC has partnered with more than 15 public schools in two cities (New Orleans and Minneapolis), and hired more than 450 of their students who have collectively earned over $475,000 in net pay and Equity Awards. To learn more, please visit www.uncommonconstruction.org, or visit our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook (@uncommonconstruction). 

UNCOMMON CONSTRUCTION LAUNCHES GREATER NEW ORLEANS INDUSTRY CIRCLE

In celebration of their upcoming 10th anniversary, local non-profit convenes unique network of construction leaders working collaboratively to empower regional youth development programs

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, April 16, 2024—unCommon Construction, a local non-profit organization that uses the construction build process to empower youth with the skills, networks, resources, and experiences to lead the workforce after high school or college, launched its first cohort of the Greater New Orleans Industry Circle (GNOIC) this spring. Seventeen construction companies serving the region joined as founding members to support the organization’s mission and deepen their engagement with the 100 high school apprentices who participate in the program each year. 

“We’re excited to have so many leaders in the Greater New Orleans construction industry make this commitment to serve our youth through this unique opportunity for collective action,” said unCommon Construction Executive Director Aaron Frumin. “This new industry circle will increase unCommon’s impact on the leadership development of our apprentices and alumni who represent the next generation of skilled leaders in our community.”

unCommon Construction partners with public schools, homeschools, and youth-serving organizations to  provide training in soft and technical skills for youth ages 16-20 through its apprenticeship program. Apprentices earn above-minimum-wage hourly pay, school credit, and scholarships for building a house or other project over the course of a school year. The experience provides them with exposure to a lucrative career in the trades and opportunities to develop their leadership potential.

“Since 2015, unCommon Construction has developed 400 apprentices who have earned over $400,000 in pay and scholarships from their work in the program,” said Michael DeGruy, GNOIC co-chair and President of Ryan Gootee General Contractors. “As members of the GNOIC, we’re honored to help the organization grow their impact over the next ten years.”

Members will convene multiple times throughout the year to discuss how to support and develop a younger and more diverse workforce for the construction industry. 

“There’s a huge shortage of workers in the construction industry nationally,” said Sarah Busch, GNOIC co-chair and Vice President of Operations for Landis Construction. “unCommon’s GNO Industry Circle will help the local construction community continue to grow our workforce and empower the next generation of leaders for our industry.”

Members will also have first access to engage directly with apprentices and alumni through volunteer build days, field trips, hiring fairs, mentorship opportunities, and “lunch & learns.” 

“The Palmisano Foundation and RNGD are committed to fostering professional growth for the next generation of builders,” said Wes Palmisano, CEO of RNGD and  President of the Palmisano Foundation. “unCommon Construction has provided a unique opportunity for our team to mentor and engage with apprentices through hands-on training, creating a fun learning experience for both the RNGD team and unCommon apprentices.” 

In this inaugural year, members are looking toward the long-term impact their support can provide in creating more robust local workforce development opportunities and a stronger regional economy.  

“At LEMOINE, we recognize the profound impact of Uncommon Construction's mission on the youth of greater New Orleans,” said William Lemoine,  President of Building Construction for LEMOINE. “We firmly believe that investing in the development of our youth through organizations like Uncommon not only enhances individual opportunities but also contributes to the long-term prosperity and resilience of our community.”

Along with co-chairs Sarah Busch and Michael DeGruy, the GNOIC is co-chaired by Andre Kelly of the Louisiana Associated General Contractors (LAGC) and Jeb Bruneau of the Associated Builders and Contractors - New Orleans/Bayou Chapter (ABC - NO/BC), two national trade associations that provide support to the construction industry. 

Pictures right to left: Sarah Busch (Landis Construction), Aaron Frumin (unCommon Construction), Jeb Bruneau (ABC), Andre Kelly (AGC), and Michael DeGruy (Ryan Gootee General Contractors)

“The work of Aaron and unCommon Construction is easily one AGC’s proudest efforts we support. It makes sense for the industry and will greatly benefit our members both now and in the future. Having been a part of UnCommon’s growth from infancy, we at AGC are confident of the impact this organization will have on the youth of New Orleans and count ourselves lucky to stand with these students and this grand character-framing organization.” - Andre Kelly, LAGC’s ​Vice President of Member Projects and Southeast Area Manager for Southeast Louisiana

“The partnership between ABC New Orleans/Bayou and Uncommon Construction is a powerful example of collaboration for a stronger community. By working together, we can provide vital opportunities in workforce development and ensure a skilled and qualified construction industry talent pool. This focus on building up the local workforce will not only benefit the businesses involved but also create a ripple effect of positive economic and social development throughout Greater New Orleans and Bayou areas.” - Jeb Bruneau, ABC-NO/BC’s President and CEO

2024 GNOIC Members:

Leaders ($10,000 donation): Landis Construction, LEMOINE, RNGD, Ryan Gootee General Contractors

Journeyman ($5,000 donation): AOS Interior Environments, Frischhertz, Gallo Mechanical, Roof-Tech

Helpers ($2,500 donation): A-1 Electrical, AECOM Hunt, Brighter Horizons, C.D.W. Services, LLC, Gibbs Construction, Mayer Building Company, RMS, Southern Builders of Louisiana, Inc., VPG

GNOIC Membership opens in January and closes on March 31st each year. To learn more about unCommon Construction’s work and impact and the Greater New Orleans Industry Circle, please visit www.uncommonconstruction.org or contact development@uncommonconstruction.org. 

CERTAINTEED SUPPORTS UNCOMMON CONSTRUCTION’S NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The National Manufacturer Provides Youth with Materials to Build Homes in New Orleans and Minneapolis

NEW ORLEANS, LA, January 23, 2024— unCommon Construction is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with CertainTeed, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain North America and leading manufacturer of sustainable building materials, has teamed up with them to support their apprenticeship programs in New Orleans and Minneapolis. unCommon Construction uses the build process to empower youth with the skills, network, resources, and experience to lead the workforce after high school or college. CertainTeed is providing important building materials for home construction projects led by unCommon Construction’s apprentices.

“unCommon Construction is so grateful for CertainTeed’s support of our impact on youth development,” says Executive Director Aaron Frumin. “A donation of building materials like this can be a game-changer for our program and also provides our apprentices with the opportunity to see how much members of the construction industry want them to succeed.'“

Over a semester, unCommon Construction apprentices, aged 16-20, learn valuable trade skills and “soft skills” while building a house or another project. Currently, the organization serves 75 apprentices each year at its headquarters in New Orleans and at its new site in Minneapolis. CertainTeed’s first donation of Grace Ice & Water Shield™ underlayment and shingles is being used to build a new house on N. Roman Street in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans with 25 apprentices.

“CertainTeed is committed to serving communities across the country,” says CertainTeed Siding Vice President & General Manager and Saint-Gobain North America Foundation President Joe Bondi. “We know how important it is to train and develop the next generation of leaders in the construction industry. That’s why we’re proud to support the incredible young leaders at unCommon Construction.”

CertainTeed will also supply roofing materials for unCommon Construction’s new campus building located on Freret Street in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans. The unCommon Campus will provide a space for increased programming for apprentices and community members and will be the headquarters for the organization’s continued growth and expansion to other cities. 

unCommon construction alumnus and general contractor josh bolds stands with a donation of goods from certainteed

Through innovative and sustainable building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed, founded in 1904 and headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is at the forefront of industry advancements that are making the world a better home. With building science as its foundation, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds – making it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient solutions for where we live, work and play.

A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world's largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The group had total sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2021. www.certainteed.com.