Success Story: Civic Works

Civic Works established the Baltimore Center for Green Careers (BCGC) to build a vibrant and inclusive "green" economy in Baltimore. BCGC is home to the B'More Green brownfields job-training program, the new B'More Green Energy Efficiency Retrofit program, EnergyReady, Retrofit Baltimore, and the Baltimore Energy Entrepreneur project.

Civic Works established the Baltimore Center for Green Careers (BCGC) to build a vibrant and inclusive "green" economy in Baltimore. BCGC is home to the B'More Green brownfields job-training program, the new B'More Green Energy Efficiency Retrofit program, EnergyReady, Retrofit Baltimore, and the Baltimore Energy Entrepreneur project.

Learn more about Civic Works »

1. Name one individual whose participation in your program led to success.

Ketorus Gooding

2. Give a brief summary of their background

Ketorus joined our training at about 3 months out of a 10 year prison sentence. He was living in a transitional living situation for people who are re-entering society post incarceration. He was working hard to secure employment and kept being turned away due to his record of incarceration.

3. When did they enter your program?

Fall 2010

4. What did their participation in your program involve?

Ketorus trained in our 3-month Home Performance Installer program. He completed one month of classroom training where he was engaged in personal and professional development courses before he earned his state weatherization credential, the EPA RRP certification, and the OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety card. He then completed 80 hours of hands-on training in our weatherization lab. This was followed by two months of on-the-job training. During OJT, Ketorus was able to hone his skills in real work situations under the professional supervision and tutelage of our lead trainer.

5. What job did they get upon completion?

Ketorus was hired as an Installer working on one of Hawkeye Construction's weatherization teams.

6. What are they doing now - professionally and personally?

Since graduating and starting new job, Ketorus has secured a place to live, gotten married and earned several BPI credentials including the Building Analyst Professional, the Envelope Professional, and Heating Professional.

7. Quote from person about what they got out of participation in program.

"The B'more Green Program provided me with competitive skills necessary in the workforce. It not only provided me with an opportunity to earn a living wage, but more importantly, it provided me with an opportunity for a fresh start in the real world."

8. Quote from person about working in the green economy.

"Everyday is like an education. To be able to be in contact with people to educate them on being green, help them and have an immediate impact in their lives is a true blessing."

9. Media contact for your organization.

Contact John Mello at 410-929-6124 or [email protected]

The Community of Practice web pages were made possible by the generous support of the Mitchell Kapor Foundation (www.mkf.org)