Background and Work Experience

• Tony Zahradka: 20 years teaching at-risk and immigrant youth in St. Paul Public Schools and GAP (contract alternative school).

• Five years of construction experience during and after college.

• GAP students built three homes, teaching valuable hands-on skills.

Partnerships Supporting GAP Projects

• Architecture Firm: Provided LEAD certification, design assistance, variances, and permits.

• 3M: Donated house wrap and conducted application training.

• Pella: Discounted windows and trained students on installation.

• LP Smartside: Discounted siding and provided installation training.

• Trades Contractors: Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical contractors allowed student participation.

Advice for Starting Construction Programs

1. Hire mission-driven staff, recognizing they may earn more elsewhere.

2. Build strong partnerships for funding, materials, and expertise.

3. Pursue multiple funding sources (YouthBuild state and federal funds).

Key Recommendations

• Secure qualified staff—funding without skilled staff is ineffective.

• Own building sites—GAP purchased vacant lots for multi-home projects.

• Provide comprehensive experiences—unlike Habitat for Humanity, GAP involves students in full construction processes.

• Collaborate with city and county to obtain tax-forfeited properties.

• Partner with unions for technical expertise and training.

Challenges and Budget Insights

• Challenges: Supply chain delays, budget overruns, and student errors.

• Budgets: $50,000 for donated properties; $250,000 for new construction, excluding salaries.

National Recognition

• GAP received a national leadership award at the 2023 International Greenbuild conference for eco-friendly construction.

Program Structure

• YouthBuild career pathway blends education (50%), construction training (40%), and leadership development (10%).

• 30-hour weekly commitment: 15 hours classroom education, 12 hours site training, and 3 hours leadership activities.

• Students engage in both project-based and problem-based learning.

Other Student Reflections:

• Ivan Casique Sanchez: Compared drywalling to sculpture, calling it a path to perfection.

• Boe Boe: Loved attending GAP and felt motivated even on weekends.

• Anonymous student: Found traditional school unsuitable but excelled at GAP, graduating with job offers.

Additional Personal Stories:

• Maria G.: After escaping domestic violence, Maria found GAP as a safe space to rebuild her life. She learned electrical skills, graduated with honors, and is now an apprentice electrician earning $38/hour.

• Samir K.: Arriving as a refugee from Somalia, Samir had no prior education in English. Through GAP, he gained both language and construction skills. Today, he runs his own small remodeling business.

• Jessica T.: A single mother, Jessica juggled parenting and classes at GAP. She completed her diploma and secured a carpentry apprenticeship, providing stability for her child.

Concluding Insights

• GAP School demonstrates how practical skill-building and partnerships create opportunities for at-risk youth.

• Their work transforms tax-forfeited homes into livable spaces while fostering career pathways.

• GAP exemplifies a scalable model for integrating education, construction, and leadership training to support underserved communities.