Empowering the Next Generation: A Three-Year Journey of Mentorship and Community Engagement
Mortenson’s Three-Year Partnership with Garden City Elementary Exposes Youth to Construction Industry
What began as a single event during Construction Inclusion Week in 2022 has blossomed into a comprehensive three-year program introducing young students to the world of construction. Mortenson's commitment to fostering inclusion in the construction industry and within our communities shines through in its impactful partnership with Garden City Elementary School in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
In the first year of the program, Mortenson hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fair at the elementary school. Twenty-five (25) Mortenson volunteers engaged with students through safety and construction activities such as a Bend and Stretch, building construction equipment out of Legos, discussing various roles of equipment on job sites, and even providing students with their own safety gear, including vests and a customized hard hat with their name on it. Additionally, Mortenson's Community Empowerment team surprised the students and staff at Garden City Elementary with a $25,000.00 grant from the Mortenson Company Foundation. This grant funded field trips and supports an ongoing mission to create hands-on learning for students.
In its second year, Mortenson volunteers organized a field trip to its Minneapolis headquarters for the same group of students. The now fourth graders participated in hands-on activities, receiving a mini tool kit, their own safety gear, and the chance to build with lumber. Students learned about the importance of safety by participating in Mortenson’s Bend and Stretch safety practice, as well as exciting conversations about the variety of career paths available in the industry.
In the third year of this program, the students, now in fifth grade, were given a tour of US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Students were excited to explore the field, learn about the architecture, and see firsthand what a career in construction could look like. This full-circle experience reinforced the program's goal of exposing students to potential career opportunities and inspiring them to consider construction as a viable and rewarding path.
Throughout the three years, the impact of the program has been profound. Jess Branch Community Empowerment Specialist at Mortenson shared, "Every year to our surprise, we've received a manila envelope full of handmade thank-you cards from the students. They write these little messages about how excited they were to meet us and how much they look forward to our visits." The program's success is attributed to the dedication of Mortenson's team members and leaders, who have consistently shown up and engaged with the students.
"This wasn't just a field trip. We did this with the future in mind so that the construction industry can continue to progress in a way that enables communities to thrive," noted Branch.
By introducing students to construction early and providing them with the tools and knowledge they need, Mortenson hopes to inspire the next generation of builders.