unCommon Construction

,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.

At unCommon Construction, youth from various high schools and homeschool networks apply to join a diverse team of apprentices that earns hourly pay and school internship credit for building a house or another project. With the revenue from each project, apprentices also earn a matching "Equity Award Scholarship" for further education, industry certifications or the tools needed for long-term employment. Through more than 100 hours each semester, apprentices develop career awareness and exposure, technical, soft skills, and leadership abilities through a work-based learning experience in a real-world classroom. We partner with Industry partners to expose apprentices to a varied curriculum.

This year, we are putting the finishing touches on the renovation at our New Orleans Campus, which will serve as not only the headquarters for our youth programs, but also as a community hub for people of all ages interested in learning and applying skills related to the trades. Add the note "Brick" to your GiveNOLA donation to dedicate your gift of any size toward sponsoring a $1,000 brick on the donor wall of the new unCommon Campus! There are an estimated 4,886 bricks in the building, and we'd love to see your name on one of them!

Founded in New Orleans in 2015, unCommon recently began the expansion of programs to the Twin Cities and is continuously responding to inquiries to replicate our model in more locations in the coming years.

We believe that construction isn't a consolation prize, but that the trades are building the foundations of young people's future.

Testimonials

"Becoming part of uCC has impacted me in two major ways. Building a true work ethic and being able to see the longevity of your position. When you're in high school, you might just see the short-term goals, but (uCC) has helped me find the network for long-term connections." - Jonathan Wilson, Alumni Apprentice

"I have to say, Saturday's Build Day was inspirational. I loved speaking with the young adults, hearing their stories, how they came to unCommon, what is fueling them and what they hope to do in the future. " - Nena, Build Day Volunteer