Free girls’ construction camp returned to Northeast Ohio for third year

The third annual Let's Build Construction Camp empowers young women.

The Let’s Build Construction Camp (LBCC) for Girls returned to the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center for its third year this summer. This free week-long day camp for girls ages 12-17 teaches practical skills in the building trades through hands-on projects, field trips, games, live workshops and interactive discussions. With support from local unions, trade organizations, and national and Northeast Ohio businesses in the construction, design and manufacturing industries, campers learn from professionals about careers in the trades, manufacturing, building science and more.

GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, donated shingles for the roofing workshop at the camp. This donation was part of GAF’s social impact initiative, GAF Community Matters, which is focused on making a positive difference for neighbors and partners in the community by leveraging roofing expertise, resources and products to help build resilient communities. 

As part of the collaboration between GAF and LBCC, instructors from GAF Roofing Academy, a free national training program that teaches the basics of roofing, were on hand to teach campers how to install roofing materials. These volunteers are also part of Women Inspiring Sustained Equality (WISE), a GAF employee resource group driven by employees from across the country who are committed to empowering, inspiring and collectively supporting women to achieve and advance in their careers. 

“As roofing professionals, we have a responsibility to positively impact the industry as a whole, especially when it comes to diversifying the workforce. We are proud to donate the materials needed to make this camp a success and continue to encourage young women to become leaders in traditionally male-dominated careers.” said Kimberly Santiago-Vega, Roofing Academy Program Manager at GAF.

LBCC empowers participants with a sense of purpose and confidence in otherwise unfamiliar job areas with the ultimate goal of increasing the percentage of women in the construction industry.

“This hands-on experience not only boosts their confidence in their own abilities, but also gives them a taste of potential professions for when they’re ready to begin making career decisions,” says Shelly Higgins, Architectural & National Accounts Director for S-5! Metal Roof Innovations and Managing Trustee for LBCC INC. “By introducing these young women to the construction and roofing industries, we hope to inspire a new generation to consider the trades a viable and rewarding career option.”

Contact:

GAF:

Margaret Pfeifle, +1 (862) 433-9008

margaret.pfeifle@GAF.com

About LBCC INC.

LBCC INC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to encourage middle school and high school-age students to consider a career in architecture, engineering, manufacturing and construction trades through education, hands-on experiences, mentoring and field trips. The first camp was held in the summer of 2022.

About GAF

GAF, a Standard Industries company, is North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer. For more than 130 years, GAF has been trusted to protect what matters most for families, communities and business owners with its innovative solutions and focus on customer service. GAF's leadership extends to its commitment to making a positive social impact in the communities it serves. Through the GAF Community Matters initiative, GAF leverages its expertise, resources and products to help build resilient, thriving and sustainable communities of the future. Learn more at www.GAF.com.