ABC-SEMI Southeast Michigan Contractors Issue 2, 2021

Southeast Michigan Contractors Issue 2 2021 17 ECONOMY When Cornerstone Schools saw a need for career training in the construction industry, as well as communities in need of rehabilitation, Clark Durant, CEO of Cornerstone Schools, reached out to his training partners, ABC of Southeast Michigan. Working together, his vision has evolved into a project that has become “The Hartwell House Project.” Since its creation, Cornerstone School’s culture involves a unique character program that has laid the foundation on which they have built their schools over the last 28 years. Located in the heart of Detroit, Cornerstone Schools has several Charter School campuses with plans for continued growth. Andy Anuzis, Chief Career Officer of Cornerstone Schools, was tasked with developing the Hartwell House project in connection with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and other organizations in the Detroit area. Andy has a long history of involvement with ABC and was the President of ABC of Michigan prior to his current role with Cornerstone Schools. In describing ABC’s desire to be involved in the project, Pres- ident of ABC of Southeast Michigan Keith Ledbetter explains, “Cornerstone Schools have long been recognized as a place where kids of various backgrounds and means are given the tools to be successful in life. We were excited to partner with them on this neat project.” What is the Hartwell House Project? “It is a home that is in the campus of Cornerstone Schools. The whole premise is to rehabilitate the house, but also use recent graduates to do the work so that they can develop construction skills for employment. They want to continue to build out the community of this school, until the community as a whole is a safer place for the schools and more desirable place for kids to grow up in.” says Mickey Mortimer, Vice President of ABC SEMI. Connecting ABC Member businesses in the construction industry to work for a united cause was one of the ABC’s orig- inal goals. To accomplish this goal, ABC SEMI has brought in ABC member companies Douglas Electric and Expert Heating & Cooling. Paige Levy, President of Douglas Electric, saw an opportunity to get involved when two of their interns became involved in the project and they saw a chance to reconnect. “We see the gap for the kids to be able to cross over from high school into the skilled trades and are always looking for ways to help the industry and the young people to have a career in the skilled trades.” Cornerstone Schools have also gained support from a variety of other volunteers and donors. All labor is done by the students. Local charter school and construction industry partners join together to restore community and provide career training Rebuilding Detroit Through Educating the Youth in Skilled Trades