Apprentice Carpenters Learn Skills While Aiding Homeless
Volunteer carpenters hammered the last nails to the rooftop of a Boyle Heights homeless shelter Monday as part of a statewide training program.
For three weeks, 14 apprentices from the Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Program completed the first phase of the roofing at the Guadalupe Homeless Project. Labor costs for the construction plan are estimated at $25,000.
Apprentices work 160 hours each year for free at low-income organizations in Los Angeles.
The four-year program, which operates in nine cities, is run by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in a Whittier center.
“This is a good opportunity to try our skills out and help others,” said carpenter Timothy Obergon while standing on the roof.
“I was born and raised in East L.A. It feels good to be able to give something back to the community.”
The shelter, located at 171 S. Gless St., offers food, showers and shelter for about 60 homeless men daily. It is run by the Dolores Mission.
The facility, funded by public and private funds, was built eight years ago. The shelter will open at the beginning of July.
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