Housing Authority residents graduate from community enrichment program

Twenty-four Charleston Housing Authority tenants received certification May 25 signifying their completion of a program that hopefully will lead to full-time employment.

Since May 21, these tenants have participated in a training program sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, the Fortune 500 company known for the manufacturing, distribution and sales of paints, coatings and related products.

“Home Work,” as the training program is called, is a painter training and community enrichment program developed by Sherwin-Williams in 2004. The primary aim of the program is to improve the quality of life in low-income housing communities by educating residents on the importance of proper home maintenance, providing training to prepare the participants for careers in professional painting and exposing trainees to jobs with painting contractors. Since its inception, the program has expanded to 29 cities throughout the country.

As part of the training, Sherwin-Williams provided the instructor as well as training materials at no cost to the participants or the CHA. The value of the training is estimated at $35,000.

As part of the training, participants were schooled on mold issues and HUD Healthy Homes guidelines. They also received training on lead-safe practices, which has earned each of them a supplemental certification from the Environmental Protection Agency authorizing them to perform lead-safe renovations and repairs in pre-1978 housing.

Hands-on training also took place with the participants preparing and painting the CHA Marion Strobel Community Center as well as common areas at Crisis Ministries.