Page 22 - 2017 PARADE STYLE MAGAZINE

Charity Home
The 2017 Charity Home will break ground on June 20, 2017
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The Greater San Antonio Education Foundation (GSAEF), which is the charitable arm of the Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA), is committed to supporting the education of the next generation of homebuilders in the San Antonio area. Construction and real estate now account for $32.5 billion in economic impact in the San Antonio area - nearly 1/7 of the entire local economy. By providing scholarships, mentoring programs, guest speakers, and by helping local schools to create skilled trades curriculum, GSAEF seeks to find solutions to an ever-increasing shortage in the number of skilled trade workers in the residential construction industry. By investing in the next generation of tradesmen and business owners, homebuilders are building the future of San Antonio’s housing market.
GSAEF launched student chapters of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at St. Philip’s College, Southwest Campus and at the University of Texas at San Antonio with the goal of creating a pipeline of talent to fuel the economic engine of homebuilding. St. Philip’s houses a 2-year technical program that produces skilled students in electrical, plumbing,
HVAC, welding, and construction management. UTSA’s Construction Science Management Department offers a 4-year Bachelor’s of Construction Management. GSAEF is committed to reinforcing these two programs that produce local talent and can fill the skills gap in our industry. In 2016, GSAEF awarded over $30,000 in scholarships to students of the two programs.
GSAEF is funded primarily through the annual GSAEF Charity Home. GSABA members donate time, materials, and money to GSAEF Partner Armadillo Homes, who constructs and sells the Charity Home. All proceeds go to GSAEF to fund educational initiatives in the San Antonio area in order to promote the career opportunities in our industry. Also, the student chapters participate in community service projects that are funded by GSAEF. The students aim to make a lasting impact on their neighborhoods by repairing homes of those who are less fortunate, by using the skills they learn in school. GSAEF and the two student chapters of NAHB are planting the seeds for organic urban renewal and creating a culture of giving back.