On Saturday, January 20, The General Builders Contractors Association (GBCA), The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters Union), and Carpenters Contractor Trust (CCT) teamed up to host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The event featured Carpenters’ Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) pre-apprentices, past program graduates, and volunteers building 16 shade benches that will be installed in various community locations around the city later this spring. Local contractor Clemens Construction Company, Inc., and suppliers Tague Lumber, Inc. and Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. provided the materials for the event. Clemens Construction Company sponsored lunch.
Philadelphia City Council Member Katherine Gilmore Richardson attended the event, while helping the students and listening to their stories and how they got into the program.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker stopped by the event to show her support to the union trade industry and gave an inspiring speech about the importance of creating career opportunities in Philadelphia.
Other Councilmember representatives in attendance included: Mark Squilla, Isaiah Thomas, Jimmy Harrity, and Rue Landau. State House representative Rep. Napoleon Nelson, (who’s son was a CARP pre-apprentice last year). State Senate representative State Senator Sharif Street. US Congress representative Congressman Dwight Evans, and State House representative Candidate Andre Carroll.
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