We’re building the next generation of tradesmen and tradeswomen — and we need your support.
Real training happens on real job sites. Our pre-apprenticeship trainees work shoulder to shoulder with licensed contractors and experienced tradespeople on projects across Chicago and the South Suburbs — learning the trade the way it’s actually learned.
To keep that going, we need work.
Have a project? Want to join the initiative? Same place — one form, two minutes.
Three Ways In
Send Us a Project
Short-term or long-term, residential, four units or fewer. Every accepted project becomes paid, supervised, real-world training hours for someone building a career.
Support a Trainee
Our trainees come from Simeon Career Academy and Metropolitan Family Services’ Bridge to Construction program. Support means work, mentorship, materials, and opportunity.
Join the Collective
Contractors, construction companies, tradespeople, and community organizations — there’s a place for you in this. We’re building a network, not a roster.
One Day on 79th Street
You may have seen the video. In August 2026, our trainees cleared the Chicago Body Shop’s new location on East 79th Street — a full building, a full dumpster, one day’s work, supervised start to finish.
See the full project — and the ones that come next →
The Work We’re Looking For
All work is performed by our trainees alongside experienced construction companies, contractors, and tradesmen. Residential only — four units or fewer.
Short-Term Projects
- Cleanouts
- Demolition
- Drywall
- LVP flooring installation
Long-Term Projects
- Full rehab projects
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Basements
- Painting
- Flooring
- Tiling
Submitting a project starts a review — it is not a guarantee of acceptance. Every project is evaluated for scope, safety, supervision, schedule, permissions, insurance, and training value before it becomes an initiative project.
Who’s Behind This
Key Stakeholders
Project Management Plus LLC — Terry Smith
Russell Renovation LLC — russellrenovation.io
The Renovation Room Network
Talented 10th College Prep & Career Mentoring — Dr. Kweli Kwaza, Executive Director
talented-10th.org
JRBM Home Development — jrbmhd.com
Metropolitan Family Services — Bridge to Construction, Midway Center
Merrick Neish, Bridge to Construction Supervisor
metrofamily.org
We’ve worked with Metropolitan Family Services for the past several years, and we’re currently training two of their Bridge to Construction participants in our Construction Entrepreneurship Builder Program.
Simeon Career Academy — simeonca.org
Tamarah Ellis, Principal · Isiah Rowsey, Carpentry CTE Teacher
We’re currently training two Class of 2026 graduates who chose to go straight into the trades. This fall, we plan to expand to work with up to 20 of Mr. Rowsey’s carpentry students through the CPS Work Study program, pending school and program approvals.
Chicago Body Shop, LLC — Dionis Harvey, Owner
thechicagobodyshop.com
Meet all the stakeholders — who they are and what they bring →
And You.
This only works if the community builds it. Whether you have a project, a skill, a connection, or an hour — you belong on this list.
What’s Coming
The program is EXPANDING. More details coming soon.
The items below are under development and are not operational yet.
A community bartering system — a way for member companies, trainees, and neighbors to trade skills and services. The rules, structure, and operating process are still being developed. We are not accepting barter requests at this time.
Construction + AI — a longer-term effort to equip emerging construction companies with tools that help them operate effectively in the years ahead.
A wider network — we are working toward a broader circle of contractors and construction companies beyond those named above.