Building homes. Building skills. Building lives.
Veteran's Skilled Trades Center of the Black Hills - Hands-on Training
The Veteran's Skilled Trades Center of the Black Hills is a multi-faceted program offering a comprehensive path to healing and self-sufficiency.
When South Dakota will have the first Skilled Trades Center in the nation built to help our veterans reengage. This program is 95% through the process of opening a manufacturing facility in Hot Springs, SD.
Structured curriculum teaching construction industry fundamentals, safety protocols, and technical skills.
Hands-on experience building actual homes under journeyman supervision in carpentry, electrical, and plumbing.
Financial literacy, time management, communication, and other essential skills for successful civilian life.
PTSD counseling, substance abuse treatment, and ongoing mental health services integrated into the program.
Department of Labor and SBA programs help veterans find employment and start businesses after training.
Help from multiple community programs offering financial assistance and government program qualification.
Veterans from the Black Hills VA hospital drug & alcohol rehab program and those given a second chance through Veteran Courts enter our program.
Under journeyman supervision, veterans build small homes for homeless and low-income vets while learning construction trades.
Veterans who show aptitude are hired by contractors waiting to employ them, or start their own businesses with SBA support.
"Work is a great predicter in the reduction of substance abuse"
- U.S. Veteran's AffairsWe will get their hands busy, and their minds occupied with something other than their problems. Through this avenue we will build work ethic and self esteem back into the veteran's lives, hopefully curbing the massive veteran suicide rate.
Traditional dogtrot design adapted for modern veteran housing needs
The dogtrot design can be adapted to meet various housing needs:
Two separate living units for families or shared housing
Spacious home for veteran families with children
Additional story for larger families or shared living
This project CASH-FLOWS, meaning there will be profit at the end of each build to help all veteran causes. Since this project pays all overhead and still makes a profit, you can be assured that 100% OF THE DONATIONS YOU GIVE WILL GO TO THE VETERAN'S CAUSES.
NO OTHER VETERAN'S NON-PROFIT CAN SAY THAT 100% WILL GO TO THE VETS.
Veterans coming out of the Black Hills VA hospital drug & alcohol rehabilitation program who need structure and purpose to avoid relapse.
"When the vet is out of Detox, and they need to go to work or fall back in, we will be putting them to work building homes."
We work with the Seventh Circuit Court system and their probation offices statewide to be the "Second Chance" offering Hope and a future to 3rd-strike veterans.
"These veterans deserve a chance to rebuild their lives through meaningful work and community support."
When this program is operational, South Dakota will have the first Skilled Trades Center in the nation built to help our veterans reengage.
Help us complete this groundbreaking facility and start changing veterans' lives through meaningful work and skills training.
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