Builders in Saginaw Visit Elementary School Classrooms - 12/13/2004 - Real Estate Education Training Schools Conferences

Builders in Saginaw Visit Elementary School Classrooms

“We wanted to share our excitement about the building industry,” says Debbie Beffrey, council president, and “we wanted to educate our students about renewable resources and show them that the trades are for all genders. We wanted to get them excited about the possibilities that await them down the road, such as owning their own home or even pursuing a career in the building industry.”

Providing information about the industry aimed at grades one through five, the Women’s Council distributed 512 “Home of Our Own” coloring books and 13 “Building Homes of Our Own” CD-ROMs that can be copied and given to each student; screened the “Real Jobs, Great Trades” video; and gave students a chance to interact with local builders who were visiting classrooms to talk about the industry.

The council received media coverage in the Saginaw News and the Township Times, which helped further disseminate information about the home building industry and the council’s commitment to the schools. The children responded with many beautiful thank-you notes and asked the builders to return to their classrooms soon.

The “Homes of Our Own” coloring book is available on the NAHB Web site as a PDF download and can be customized for local associations. The HBA of Greenville, SC, recently reprinted the book for distribution in its school district and to children attending the association’s home and garden show.

Additionally, numerous Women’s Councils and HBAs have requested free “Building Homes of Our Own” materials that include the CD-ROMs, brochures, a member resource guide, a sample local press release and more to help them reach children in their communities.

Women’s Council members Mary Forbert, from Milwaukee, and Garnett Thompson from California, have used the materials to develop their own outreach programs. Marcia O’Neill, executive officer of the Southern Tier Home Builders Association in Endwell, NY, is using the materials for local school career day presentation and as part of the Learning for Life program, which teaches building trades to the Boy Scouts.

To request “Building Homes of Our Own” materials, e-mail Kym Kilbourne at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8447.