The We Shall Overcome Foundation

WE SHALL OVERCOME

FOUNDATION

October 17, 2024

The Cincinnati Construction Academy (CCA) is proud to announce it has been awarded the APPRENTICESHIP AMBASSADOR CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION from the U.S. Department of Labor. This distinction highlights CCA's continued dedication to diversifying, modernizing, and expanding registered apprenticeship programs, which contributes to the success of American workers, employers, and communities nationwide.

As a Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador, CCA joins a national network of community organizations, educational institutions, industry leaders, and workforce partners. The initiative aims to promote the benefits of registered apprenticeships and create inclusive pathways into high-demand industries for underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, youth, and rural communities.

"We are truly honored to receive this prestigious distinction and will continue to serve Cincinnati's underserved and minority communities with professionalism, respect, caring and compassion while upholding the highest standards in workforce development, pre-apprenticeship training and education, and job-placement support."

-Isaias Gamboa

Founder and Executive Director of We Shall Overcome Foundation, and the Cincinnati Construction Academy

Cincinnati Construction Academy is supported financially by the

non-profit, WE SHALL OVERCOME FOUNDATION, and is a recognized Ohio Apprenticeship Council, and Ohio Department of Education carpentry pre-apprenticeship training program.

Through city-wide partnerships, referrals and community outreach networks, CCA recruits "at-risk youth", young adults and "second chance citizens" from Greater Cincinnati's most vulnerable and underserved communities. We then provide qualified trainees with high-quality pre-apprenticeship carpentry training, job-site-safety, mentorship and soft-skills training. Once standards of training and work-readiness have been achieved, we present our pre-apprentices to exceptionally qualified employers paying living-wage, or above wages, in the commercial and residential construction sectors.We then follow up with workforce counseling, support, and advocacy.

CCA’s pre-apprenticeship training methods, standards and state-recognized curriculum have been accredited and developed in close collaboration with The Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters, the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council, and the Ohio Department of Education.

JAN. 2024 SESSION - FILLED!

APRIL 2024 SESSION- FILLED!

July 2024 SESSION- FILLED!

September 2024 SESSION- FILLED!

November 2024 SESSION- FILLED!

JAN. 2025 SESSION - FILLED!

JUN. 2025 SESSION - NOW ENROLLING!

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW

and WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU

Photo Album Gallery Place Holder - Please wait while the Photo Album loads. If the album does not show, please refresh the page to try again.

LET'S WORK!

A NEW ERA OF OPPORTUNITY

THE FUTURE IS IN THEIR HANDS!

According to a 2020 Brooking institute study,

"A close examination of wealth in the U.S. finds evidence of staggering racial disparities. In 2016, at $171,000, the net worth of a typical White family is nearly ten times greater than that of a Black family ($17,150). Gaps in wealth between Black and White households reveal the effects of accumulated inequality and discrimination, as well as differences in power and opportunity that can be traced back to this nation’s inception. The Black-White wealth gap reflects a society that has not and does not afford equality of opportunity to all its citizens."

Cincinnati is truly a tale of two cities. Here, Blacks own only 29 percent of owner-occupied units, compared to Whites, who own 66.4 percent. In Hamilton County, Blacks own 16.2 percent of such homes, as compared to Whites who own 80.4 percent. And nationally, blacks own 8.1 percent of such units while whites own 82.8 percent. This disparity is a result of hundreds of years of discrimination, corruption, and abuse.

As noted by the Cincinnati Port Authority:

"When it comes to wealth–the paramount indicator of economic security–there has been virtually no progress [for African Americans] in the last 50 years...The typical black family today has only 10 cents for every dollar held by the typical white family...this is why the wealth gap between black and white Americans persists".

HOW WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Since 2014, we have been providing valuable construction-industry mentorship, advocacy, education, knowledge, skills, real estate economics education, financial literacy, and job placement services to African Americans, and minorities from underserved communities who cannot otherwise find a pathway into the lucrative construction industry. In doing so, we not only help many of Cincinnati's residents gain excellent wages in the construction industry, but also fulfill their dream of economic stability, mobility, and prosperity by providing a new, clear and unobstructed path to home ownership.

Please support this program with your

tax- deductible donation below.

-Thank you.