On a clear, beautiful December morning, friends and families gathered at Catholic Charities DC’s Spanish Catholic Center to celebrate the graduates of the Pre-Apprenticeship Green Construction Program.
The Green Construction Program prepares students for a rewarding career in green construction. Open to all Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia residents over the age of 18, the program provides students with the opportunity to earn various certifications and learn about basic safety regulations, communication and employability skills, and how to use power and hand tools.
Twenty-one proud graduates earned their National Center for Construction Education and Research, OSHA-10, Flagger, and CPR certifications. They also received a $50 gift card to help them begin their new adventure in construction.
Guest speakers included Vivian Robledo, Executive Director at The Next Step Public Charter School; Eduardo Perdomo, Executive Director at the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs; and Michael Ludgardo, Director of Philanthropy and Communications at New Futures.
But the ceremony’s exceptional guest speaker was student Agnelo Gomez, who was presented with the highest score and perfect attendance awards. “I would like to express on behalf of the class of Core Construction 2025 our special thanks to Catholic Charities,” Gomez said as he reflected on his time in the program and the opportunity it has provided him and his classmates.
“It wouldn’t have been possible for all of us here today had it not been your generosity in extending this opportunity to each one of us. It means a lot,” he continued. “To my fellow graduates, today is more than a celebration of what we’ve completed — it is the groundbreaking ceremony for what comes next. Ahead of us are worksites, projects, companies, communities, and challenges waiting for us to prove our skills.”