Women in Construction (WinC)

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BACKGROUND
The idea for a women in construction project on the Gulf Coast originated with Wider Opporutnities for Women (WOW)--a national organization committed to increasing the number of women involved in nontraditional occupations and helping women attain economic self-sufficiency. WOW saw a unique opportunity on the MS Gulf Coast for low-income women to increase their earning potential by helping to meet the demand for skilled workers rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.

WOW identified Moore to tackle the challenge of developing construction training and associated social and workplace supports for women entering this nontraditional field. With a planning grant from Oxfam, MCH surveyed needs and resources, meeting with overwhelmingly postive reponses to the project. A start-up grant from the Women's Fund in Jackson propelled the pilot training session in January 2008

Now my kids can look
up to me and say
'mama did this!'
Monica Conelly, HBI

TRAINING
Nationally, women represent only 4 percent of the building trade workforce,. So no one expects that it will be easy to incorporate women into the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast, .But the wave of female faces on Coast construction sites has opened the door for other women to enter the field.

MCH is actively recruiting participants for the project, which will be offered at no cost . Construction training will be provided through a partnership between WinC and the Home Builder's Institute, Training U, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and Youth Build. WinC will complement traditional training with stipends for child care and transportation; support groups; mentoring, resiliency coaching, job placement assistance, and supplemental classes designed to breach barriers that have historically prevented women from participating in construction trades

For more information, please contact Karissa McLane
karissa.mclane@gmail.com   tel: 228-297-0965)
And see our program brochure for details..

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TOOL DRIVE
Men are often socialized from a young age to be familiar with tools. A construction class filled with men can create an uncomfortable environment for women to ask basic questions and jump into hands-on practice. For this reason, WinC will be offering our own classes to teach women "tools 101."

To kick off this course, we are running a Tool Drive to introduce the ladies to the full range of power and hand tools. We've had a number of generous donations from individuals and organizations-- but we need more to fill our tool shed! If you can help, please contact
Karissa McLane (tel: 228-297-0965). For more information and a list of needed tools>>.
 

  WIC's first proud graduates!

GRADUATNG TO HARD HATS AND HAMMERS!
Congratulations to the first graduating class from the Moore Community House Women in Construction program! Our first graduates include: Ms. Frances Walroth, Ms. Jolene Mathew, Ms. Sheila Laing, and Ms. Vokeenia Dunning

These women received their certificates of completion Saturday, April 5th at the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Biloxi. Guest speaker Gayle Johnson from the Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance spoke about women in non-traditional roles throughout history.

Graduation marks a groundbreaking moment on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as our pilot class of Women in Construction take their place in a traditionally male-dominated field, wielding hard hats and hammers. These graduates will "pave the way" for other women in the region. They'll earn higher wages alongside their male counterparts, moving towards economic stability and independence.

The second Women in Construction class will start April 28th. In partnership with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College,ii will offer a seven-week program for 20 women. Additional courses will start in the summer and again in the fall. Stay tuned for more details!

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

CONTACT

Karissa McLane
Moore Community House
Women In Construction Project Coordinator
P.O. Box 204
Biloxi, MS 39533
Cell: 228-297-0965
Fax: 601-213-3663
karissa.mclane@gmail.com