June 7, 2010

Monica Lewis, 33, donned a hard hat Monday morning and in the blazing sun set out for her first day on the job of Milwaukee’s new Adult Build program, which will train 45 people ages 24 and older to rehab foreclosed properties owned by the city.

Adult Build is a 16-week program that provides on-the-job construction skill training with classes in reading blueprints, carpentry, insulation, math and weatherization, said Kevin Teasley, a site supervisor for the project.

The program is patterned after Milwaukee’s Youth Build program, which trains low-income people younger than 24 years old.
Ron Sims, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee); and city officials welcomed the new class, which began its training on a house under construction at N. 26th and W. Cherry streets.