Simpson Strong-Tie partnered with the Valley Contractors Workforce Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Valley Contractors Exchange, to raise walls for a new home in Paradise, California, on Wednesday, Oct. 30. In 2018, the Camp Fire burned down 95 percent of Paradise and was the deadliest fire in California history.

Members of the Simpson Strong-Tie executive and senior leadership teams and other employees joined the Hands-On Tools Mobile Construction Training instructor, trainees and VCWF staff to build a new home for a longtime Paradise resident. The company also donated $10,000 toward the house build.

The build enabled Simpson Strong-Tie to demonstrate its commitment to two of its social impact pillars: homebuilding and repair and construction trades education. The company is working with organizations across the country to actively engage and recruit more individuals into the trades as a career.

“Working side by side with young people who are learning a trade through the Hands-On Tools Mobile Construction Training program was a rewarding experience for us,” noted Simpson Strong-Tie CEO Mike Olosky. “And the opportunity to put up the walls for a new home in Paradise, which was devastated by the Camp Fire, was very moving and inspirational.”

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Simpson Strong-Tie,” said VCWF executive director Melissa Crick. “It is because of the support of organizations like Simpson Strong-Tie that we can continue rebuilding homes and communities while training the next generation of construction rock stars. Huge thanks to the Simpson Strong-Tie team for making our work possible.”

To learn more or get involved with the Hands-On Tools Mobile Construction Training program, go to https://vceonline.com/hands-on-tools/.