Carpentry workshop teaching skills to use around the home and in storm response
Black Girls Build is holding a carpentry and safety basics workshop planned before the May 16th tornado, but adjusted to teach those wanting to help.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - May 16th’s tornado has left a lot to fix up and rebuild.
Saturday, a workshop is empowering and teaching women how to take care of some of the tasks that lie before those impacted and who want to give back.
“Like the parable of teach a man to fish,” Qiana Moore said.
The sound of drills and saws takes over a parking lot for some hands-on instruction.
Moore said, “Living in an older home, there’s always something to do, to repair, to restore. Being able to do some of that yourself or a little bit, kind of rewarding to me.”
Black Girls Build is holding a carpentry and safety basics workshop planned before the May 16th tornado. However, that storm is adding importance for this lesson for the instructor JC Sykes and those in attendance, like Moore.
“Like I’ve seen fences down or different things where I’ll be able to help my neighbors in our rebuild efforts or even secure their home,” said Moore.
Founder and President of BGB, Sykes, looking to lead this lesson with energy and enthusiasm and also the goal of teaching people how they can get out and make a difference after the storm.
“You might not even know how to read a tape measure, but I’m here willing to teach you for free how. Let’s not make excuses. Being out here is our duty. It is our rightful place to be out here, boots on the ground,” said Sykes. “We are of service.”
“There are a lot of women that want to help but don’t know how they can help besides moving a couple of trees. There’s a lot of women that actually want to get in and board up their homes,” said Lawanda Hinton, who has been learning from Black Girls Build.
Sykes, a carpenter, has been giving her time this last week, helping to install tarps on homes and board up others. Those are some of the tasks and skills she look to teach Saturday.
“No, we’re not teaching how to build a house today, but yes, we are teaching how to use a tape measure, speed square, how to rip down plywood,” said Sykes. “How to tarp a roof correctly. We’ve seen a lot of roofs that are tarped in the most dangerous ways.”
She said that while working in a male-dominated industry has been challenging, teaching women these skills and developing this ion will be important in their own lives and in the recovery ahead.
“Rebuilding the community like it’s never been done before because none of us in St. Louis have ever seen anything like this. I know I haven’t. It was scenery overload,” said Sykes.
Moore said, “Highlights that carpentry is still a skill that’s needed and that should be taught.”
Sykes hosts these workshops for free through donations to Black Girls Build. To learn how to help, visit BGB Facebook page.
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