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.

Roofing manufacturer GAF donated shingles for the camp's roofing workshop. This donation was part of GAF’s social impact initiative, GAF Community Matters, which is focused on making a positive difference for neighbors and community partners 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, a GAF employee resource group driven by employees from across the country 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, in a written statement.

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.”