The Home Work Painters Program n sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, St. Louis Housing Authority and St. Patrick’s Center n recently graduated its first class in a new St. Louis workforce development effort.
“The program got me off the streets,” said Derrick E Murray Jr., the youngest in the class. “It kept me dedicated and wanting to come back. I learned something new.”
Tom Norman of Sherwin-Williams was the trainer for the class. He spoke at the graduation ceremony and presented certificates of completion for Hands-On Painter’s Basic Education Course.
“We had 20 people in a two-week intensive program,” Norman said. “The painter graduates did professional, quality work and they have something to be proud of. We started with individuals and they became a team.”
There were three days of lecture and six days of on-the-job training. The painters cleaned and painted four apartments at the Darst-Webbe Complex. The class was divided into four teams; the crew leaders were Janese E. Jordan, Demetrias Greene, Dwight Long and Jeffrey Carson Sr.
Crew leader Dwight Long said, “Everybody did a hell of a job, and we exceeded expectations.”
Painter graduate Shirley James said, “The program was a wonderful experience. I got exercise, training and learned some skills.”
The painter’s program forms part of St. Patrick’s Center’s BEGIN Center, which stands for Business, Employment, Growth, Incomes and Neighborhoods. It is an innovative community partnership program of business incubation, entrepreneurial skills and trades training.
The graduation cake was provided by another business in the BEGIN Center, Sweeties to Go.
The Sherwin-Williams Home Work Painters Program fits the mission of BEGIN n to create life-changing economic pathways through training, education and mentorship that result in sustainable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
St. Patrick’s Center CEO Dan Buck greeted the graduates at their graduation ceremony. Lillie Glenn, director of Resident Initiatives for St. Patrick’s Center, offered congratulatory remarks and told graduates, “There are a lot of opportunities at the St. Louis Housing Authority.”
Robert Jones, Business Economic Development manager at St. Louis Housing Authority, also was present at the graduation to present graduates with a Certificate of Attendance for a Lead Safe Work Practice Awareness training course.
Evelyn Boston of Boston & Associates Painting, Charles Nebbit of Neb Painting, and Victor Addison of Color Tech Painting & Design were on hand to network with graduates following the ceremony.
After the graduation, Darial Wilderness, Maintence manager for East Lake Management Group, Inc., said, “I want to give people an opportunity to work, because somebody gave me an opportunity.” He said he will be interviewing two graduates who were crew leaders for positions at East Lake Management.
Color Tech Painting & Design hired homeless veteran Jeffrey Carson Sr.
“Color Tech is committed to helping individuals and building self esteem,” said Victor Addison of Color Tech Painting & Design.
“We want people to be able to go from just having a job in the industry to a career and providing support while you explore career opportunities.”
Color Tech Painting & Design also will partner with St. Patrick’s Center to offer an advance painting course that will go beyond basic training and include commercial, industry and residential painting.
The next Home Work Painter’s Class will be offered in December. For more information, contact Jan De Young at St. Patrick’s BEGIN Center: (314) 802-0995 or jdeyoung@BEGINSTL.org.
