They've Got Hard Hats

(12/18/2006) Doreen Sayles (pictured at right with her sister, Mary) grew up in public housing with aspirations of being a carpenter. She just graduated from a city-backed job training class with a new hard hat and a construction job.

Doreen and Mary Sayles took part in Construction Workforce Initiative 2, a city program designed to help minorities, women and public housing residents get jobs on school-construction projects and at public housing complexes.

Click here for more background on how the program works, and whom it serves.

The program graduated its biggest class Friday, with a class of 89 taking the stage at Wilbur Cross High School.

"I always wanted to do construction, because I was a tomboy growing up," said Doreen Sayles, all smiles after the award ceremony. Like 17 of the other graduates, Doreen and Mary Sayles live in public housing. Through the program, Doreen got a job working at a housing complex on Howard Avenue owned by the city housing agency.

Her sister, Mary, used to work at Taco Bell. Now she pours concrete. "I like construction better — to be outside, working with my hands." Both want to pursue carpentry.

Contact Name: Melissa Bailey