Chandler ICAN kids visit construction firm

• Last month Chandler's ICAN youth program visited DPR Construction in Phoenix
• Children gained hands-on experience with everyday construction procedures and protocol
• DPR's Phoenix office will be replicating the program for use in all DPR regions across the country

COMMUNITY VOICES

Submitted by Katie Stringham, Development and Communications Coordinator for ICAN.

On June 18, 50 kids from Chandler's ICAN, Positive Programs for Youth, along with 50 kids from Future for Kids (FFK) were treated to a field trip at DPR Construction in Phoenix.

Themed "DPR School of Construction," the kids participated in a four-hour interactive learning experience that was developed by DPR employee and community service leader Timothy Hyde, and executed by more than 25 DPR employee volunteers.

DPR staff welcomed the kids and kicked off the afternoon with a brief talk from DPR Design Professional Jose Garcia. He told the kids of his humble beginnings, and how he started working at DPR as a field worker on construction jobs. He shared with the kids that he was dedicated and worked very hard and was able to work his way up to design professional. Garcia's story was a great inspiration to the ICAN and FFK kids, who face obstacles in their lives as well.

The kids were then divided into four groups to start their projects. One station focused on safety and the kids learned about hard hats, equipment and even about staying hydrated. The highlight was getting to see someone operate a scissor lift. The second station was design of their project, which was a dog house. The kids gave input on design elements and learned how to draw the rendering. The third station was the mock-up of the house, where the kids used pre-cut wood to assemble a model. The final station was building the final product with real power tools and hardware.

Each group's work resulted in a final, completed dog house that was hand-crafted by the kids. The dog houses will be donated to Friends for Life Animal Rescue where they will be put to good use for rescue dogs.

At the beginning of the day, DPR staff asked the kids what they thought a construction company does. The kids replied with a huge variety of answers, most of which had little to do with construction. DPR staff asked the kids the same question at the end of the day and the transformation was remarkable. Hector was the first to reply with, "It's really important to be safe!" DPR staff was thrilled with his response and others quickly joined in with words like "hard hat," "mock-up," "drawing," "power tool," and "teamwork."

Another highlight of the day was the fact several DPR female employees, including National Safety Manager Janet Howe, were present, hard hat and all. The girls were enamored by the presence of the women working the industry, and all asked to be a part of the group led by female intern Ayern Cobb.

The program was such a success that DPR's Phoenix office will be replicating the program for use in all DPR regions across the nation.