Leaders Who Listen

Everyone sits down in the circle as they enter the Build It Green space. Many small discussions spark around the room until Chris Woodhull enters the circle and invites everyone to begin morning check in.

It’s a circle filled with deep respect and insight from the many members of the program. The respect built during morning check in truly defines the impact Build It Green has on its members.

Destiny outside of the Build It Green workspace.

“I was walking down the street, looking for a job - I didn't even know about BIG, but Dexter saw me and he recruited me,” said Destiny, who has been involved with the program since July 2022. “Ever since then, I've been growing. I got a car, and I was walking for 8 months before I started. It changed me a lot - my attitude, everything.”  

Destiny was promoted from Team Member to Team Leader after three months when she expressed willingness to take on more administrative tasks and her determination to succeed was there every day regardless of what was happening outside of work. 

DeAngelo, who signed up for the year-long program, originally enrolled for six months but within a month knew he wanted to stay for a year. Briana previously completed a six month program with Build It Green and returned as a Team Leader for the year long program.

Tianna outside of the Build It Green workspace.

“Initially, it was because I needed a job,” said Tianna, who also has history with previously partaking in the Build It Green program. “The second time I joined it, I joined with a purpose. I enjoy the things we do, and I enjoy working with the community.”

“Feels like I grew up with these people,” said Diamond, the final member of the earlier cohort, who shared that this is her second time in the program as well.

This team has earned an OSHA 10 certification, and will earn AmeriCorps Education Awards upon completion of the program. Recently, they experienced an intensive two day training program with Hector Moreno, the Housing Assessment and Quality Assurance Manager, Building Performance Subject Matter Expert from Green & Healthy Homes Initiative in Baltimore. They have all developed many skills and gained significant knowledge to make homes safer, more efficient, and more comfortable. 

“I've learned how to build stuff, like wheelchair ramps,” said DeAngelo. “Never had experience with power tools and I never thought I’d get into it. It's cool to learn how to put things together.”

Briana inside of the Build It Green workspace.

Briana shared, “I like that the program is growing, that we are changing. We are changing each day, every day, we get better each day, we learn something new about each other, about the program, about our clients. I think we are progressing. I love it.”

As a new cohort with 13 members has entered the program, the earlier cohort has begun to take on more of a mentoring role toward the newer group.

“This new group just started, so right now it feels like we are all just individuals and not a team yet, but we will get there! Since I have been in the program for so long, I feel responsible to help the new members,” shared Tianna about the new responsibilities as one of three Team Leaders.

“They say I have a lot of leadership skills,” said Diamond. “I don’t really see it but a lot of people have told me that. I don’t like to be down, so I make everything goofy. I like to make people laugh.”

Briana has enjoyed the development of the small groups that the Fall 2022 cohort gets to lead. “It can get chaotic but we all respect each other,” she said. It might take a minute but a lot of that energy is channeled into the work of home weatherization, repairs, and improvements. 

DeAngelo outside of the Build It Green workspace.

DeAngelo is planning to take the leadership skills Build It Green is developing in him to help him take on a management role in the family business.

“I’m going to use my stipend to go back to school and get my business degree,” he shared. “My dad and my cousin are welders. I can handle the business side of things, and they can do the welding.”

School is also on Destiny’s radar for after the program is over. “I plan on going back to school. After school, I’d like to start my own business, probably building wheelchair ramps. I like to help people,” she said.

Tianna has something a bit different in mind for her plans after she completes the Build It Green program.

“I want to build off my culinary skills,” she shared. “I'll be going to school in August and selling food plates this summer! I’m looking forward to all of that.”

After the impact Build It Green has made in each of their lives, this cohort encourages others to consider participating in the program.

“Sit in for a day and see how you like it,” DeAngelo recommended. We will bring in a new group of people in May 2023.

“Everyone has a different perspective,” Briana reminisced. “You definitely have to let yourself get to a vulnerable point. It's healthy.”

Diamond outside of the Build It Green workspace.

Build It Green is a community oriented program that encourages participants to help their families and neighbors, to rebuild neighborhoods from the inside out. After speaking with this cohort, it is clear that they have internalized the community oriented spirit of the program.

Destiny concluded, “This neighborhood hasn't seen enough of us. If the neighborhood heard more about us, they would support us more.”

Diamond added, “I've worked for so many jobs. Honestly, it feels like I've worked at every place in Chattanooga, but I couldn't see myself being at any of those places for very long. But then I came here, and I wanted to wake up every morning just to come here. This job is doing more for the world than most places.”

Written by Anna Truss