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 History of 

Builders of the Future

#1

Hands on

Building Projects for High School Students

#2

Field Trips

to Home Building Job Sites

#3

Vocational

Building Trades Scholarships

IMG_8598.JPG

#4

Internships

and

Full Time Jobs

History of Builders of the Future

1993     

Program was referred as The Playhouse Project (27 yrs ago)  

The program was administered through the Metro Omaha Home Builders Association (MOBA). 

● The program was started by Co-Founders: Steve Skidmore & Ted Grace.

● Builders provided a playhouse and the sales and proceeds were allocated towards scholarships. 

● MOBA members provided materials for the playhouses.  

1995   

Name changed to Builders of the Future. 

● Provided funding for materials, suppliers provided windows, siding, house wrap, and shingles. 

● Each school is sponsored by a mentor.

● The mentor provides field trips to newly constructed homes. 

● The mentor and sponsor also provide expert presentations for class room discussion.

● 5 to 9 High Schools participated.

● The Industrial Technology teachers and students were given size and height restrictions, and a

    dead-line for project completion.

● The finished product was graded for workmanship, design, utility and team work effort.

    Awards were presented for outstanding work. 

● Playhouses were put on display at the West Roads and Oak View Mall and Street of Dreams.

 

2001   

In October The Builders Foundation was formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 for purposes of  funding scholarships and funding for Builders of the Future; independent of MOBA. 

Board members for Builders of the Future were also active MOBA builders and associates.

 

2002

The Builder Foundation broadened its mission to develop and build affordable housing through tax credit financing.

2004  

Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (N.I.F.A.) endorsed the Southern Valley Townhome project located at 17th and “Q” Street; which is a 48-unit townhome community.  Construction started in 2009 and was completed in 2010.

2007 

to 

2014 

Due to the banking and financial crisis in 2007 and 2008 The Builders Of The Future program was discontinued until 2015.  It took home builders several years to overcome the effects from the banking and financial crisis. 

 

2015 

2016 

Funds received from building Southern Valley Town Homes project allowed the sponsorship to pay tuition for 13 students enrolled in dual enrollment courses. 

● Builders Of The Future was restarted with 12 schools and finish the year with 15 schools.

● Funding was provided to pay a Program Facilitator, who is a Retired Industrial Technology Teacher

who works in a supportive role with the teachers and students.

● The Program Facilitator also coordinates with the mentors, partnerships with MOBA, Metro Community College and Avenue Scholars.

2016 

2017 

Builders Of The Future expands to 18 schools.

● Funds received from building Southern Valley Town Homes project allowed the sponsorship to pay tuition for 13 students enrolled in dual enrollment courses. 

2017

  2018  

Builders Of The Future expands to 22 schools.

● 13 dedicated committee members

● Partner with Avenue Scholars

John Brockhaus of D.C. West High School presented - Impact Award

2018

 2019 

Builders Of The Future expands to 26 schools and approximately 400 industrial technology students. 

● 14 dedicated committee members.  

● Budget for 20 dual-enrollment students. 

● Budget for 12 “Train the Trainers” program with MCC (Summer school for industrial technology teachers) 

● 20 - $1,500 to $2,000 scholarships provided by MCC to qualified students. 

● $8,000 scholarships to selected industrial technology students provided by Avenue Scholars.

Jason Novotny of Gretna High School presented - Impact Award

2019

 2020 

Builders Of The Future expands 30 schools and approximately 450 industrial technology students.

Many high schools were building a project when the covid-19 virus hit the United States. The shutdown of all the schools in Nebraska, stopped many of our programs from completing their project. Some our new schools from even start the spring project.

● 16 dedicated committee members.

● Budget for 20 dual-enrollment students. 

● Budget for 12 “Train the Trainers” program with MCC (Summer school for industrial technology teachers) 

● 20 -  $1,500 to $2,000 scholarships provided by MCC to qualified students. 

● $8,000 scholarships to selected industrial technology students provided by Avenue Scholars.

● Partner with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha 

2020

 2021 

Some of schools have completed the projects from last year

Builders Of The Future expands to 33 schools approximately 500 industrial technology students. 

● Expands by request to Northeast Nebraska adding Norfolk , Pierce and Battle Creek

● 18 dedicated committee members.

● Budget for 20 dual-enrollment students. 

● The 1st class of “Train the Trainers” is taken by 12 local Industrial Technology teachers

     (with masks on) :)

● Budget for next year “Train the Trainers” program with MCC 

● 20 - $1,500 to $2,000 scholarships provided by MCC to qualified students. 

● Partner with ACE Mentor program

Taylor Made Home Solutions is new material suppliers to Builders of The Future program 

● DC West High School Finish a house build on school grounds and had appr. 900 sq ft house moved     to a lot in Elkhorn on May 19th 2021 (Finish house built by students in metro area in over 20 years )

   John Brockhaus Instructor 

2021

 2022 

2022

 2023 

2023

 2024 

Builders Of The Future expands to 36 schools approximately 550 industrial technology students. 

● Expands by request to Northeast Nebraska adding Wakefield, Wisner -Pilger , West Point - Beemer

● 18 dedicated committee members.

● Budget for 20 dual-enrollment students. 

● The 2nd class of “Train the Trainers” is taken by 12 local Industrial Technology teachers

● Budget for next year “Train the Trainers” program with Metro Community College 

    and Northeast Community College

● 20 - $1,500 to $2,000 scholarships provided by MCC to qualified students. 

1st year of Funding four $2,500 scholarships for

            Skilled and Technical Science teachers (Industrial Technology) at Wayne State College 

Builders Of The Future expands to 39 schools approximately 800 industrial technology students. 

● Expands by request to Northeast Nebraska adding Winside and Stanton.

● Expands by two in Iowa with Treynor and Woodbine join our schools.

Start our house building project at one school districts - Council Bluffs ( Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln Students)

● 21 dedicated committee members.

● Budget for 20 dual-enrollment students. 

● The 3rd class of “Train the Trainers” 9 Industrial Technology teachers participated in the metro area.

● The 1st class of “Train the Trainers” 5 Industrial Technology teachers participated in the Norfolk area. 

● Budget for next year “Train the Trainers” program with Metro Community College 

    and Northeast Community College  

● 2nd year of Funding four $2,500 scholarships for

             Skilled and Technical Science teachers (Industrial Technology) at Wayne State College 

The success of this program is attributed to our dedicated Committee Members, Teachers that promote the industrial technology trades, Builder’s and Mentors who are willing to give their time and resources. 

Suppliers and Contractors who provide materials and services to accommodate the Schools and the Teachers. 

Our Program Facilitators who diligently works with the teachers and communicates with the students.

We are thankful for the funding we have received from our sponsors and partnerships with other non-profits who support our mission. 

All proceeds from the sale of the playhouses/projects are used to provide tools for classrooms, students taking college courses who need tools, dual enrollment courses and scholarships.

Builders Of The Future expands to 40 schools approximately 800 industrial technology students. 

● Expands by request to Northeast Nebraska adding Wausa .

Expanding our house building project to 3 school districts - Council Bluffs, Blair and Wausa 

● 21 dedicated committee members.

● The 4rd class of “Train the Trainers” 8 Industrial Technology teachers participated in the metro area.

● The 2nd class of “Train the Trainers” 6 Industrial Technology teachers participated in the Norfolk area. 

● Budget for next year “Train the Trainers” program with Metro Community College 

    and Northeast Community College

● 3rd year of Funding four $2,500 scholarships for

                    Skilled and Technical Science teachers (Industrial Technology) at Wayne State College 

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