HBI Trustees Visit Project CRAFT in Dallas
 Members of the Board of Trustees of the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB, traveled to Dallas last week to hold their annual planning meeting and visit Project CRAFT/Dallas.
Trustees had the opportunity to observe a typical day at the Dallas CRAFT (Community Restitution, Apprenticeship-Focused Training) site on the campus of the Dallas County Youth Village, where the program trains 16- to 18-year-olds. Prior to the tour, the trustees heard students discuss the program, their future plans and their recent training activities in the community. Students last month used their skills to help replace 20-year-old carpet and 60-year-old tile at the Southeast Dallas Food Center. Efforts by Bob Morris, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas, and his staff have brought media attention to the students’ work at the Food Center. In recent weeks, stories by local networks and the national FoxNews and Univision have featured Project CRAFT and its role in preparing youths for jobs in the industry while they assist in community projects. “We are excited about the accomplishments of Project CRAFT here in Dallas and are confident that these students will make great contributions to our industry one day,” said Sandy Dunn, NAHB vice president/secretary and an HBI Trustee. Funded by Work Source for Dallas County, and under an agreement with SER-Jobs for Progress, HBI and Project CRAFT/Dallas continue to provide youths in the area with employment opportunities while simultaneously strengthening the construction industry’s workforce. Much of Project CRAFT’s success stems from its strong ties to the construction industry through HBI, NAHB and the HBA of Greater Dallas. Association members such as Jim Higginbotham of J & C Custom Homes have given of their time and shared their years of industry experience to help Project CRAFT students. An ardent program supporter, Higginbotham was the first person to serve on the advisory board of CRAFT-Dallas, and he continues to work with instructors to enhance project operations. Project CRAFT, a congressionally-recognized model for rehabilitating adjudicated youths and reducing their recidivism, aims to help troubled adolescents rebuild their lives while they learn the skills necessary for employment in the construction industry. Nationally, CRAFT graduates enjoy an 85% employment rate with an average hourly starting wage of $8.58. For more information about Project CRAFT/Dallas, e-mail John Hattery at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8916. | 
