Bank Of America Names 2024 Neighborhood Builders Recipients

Revolution Workshop is one of two Chicago-based organizations named as Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BANK OF AMERICA.
Revolution Workshop is one of two Chicago-based organizations named as Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BANK OF AMERICA.

Bank Of America Names 2024 Neighborhood Builders Recipients

By Tia Carol Jones

Revolution Workshop was founded in 2018, with the mission to bridge the gap between the construction industry and those who were looking for opportunities in that field by providing access and training for people on the South and West sides. 

Revolution Workshop was one of two Chicago-based organizations to receive grant funding from Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program. Neighborhood Builders, which is in its 20th year, provides leadership development to those in the nonprofit sector while also giving them flexible grant funding for two years. After School Matters and Revolution Workshop join 40 other Chicagoland area-based nonprofits that have received support through the Neighborhood Builders program.

“This year, we celebrate 20 years of strengthening Chicago communities through strategic partnerships with nonprofits that share our commitment to promoting economic advancement across Chicago," Rita Cook, President of Bank of America Chicago, said in a release. “The flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training that are hallmarks of the Neighborhood Builders program will support After School Matters and Revolution Workshop as they address the critical needs of their communities while paving the way for lasting change. The impact of this signature philanthropic initiative on Chicago individuals, families, and neighborhoods is profound, and we look forward to extending that legacy with our 2024 awardees.”

Revolution Workshop has two programs, a 12-week Trades Pathways Program, where participants receive expert training in hand and power tools, a weekly stipend, transportation assistance, tools, certifications and job placement assistance. The other program is the 14-week Professionals Pathways Program, where participants receive training in design, technology and project management skills.

Rodriguez is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Revolution Workshop and Jackie Gallo is the Senior Director of Programs with Revolution Workshop. Rodriguez said that the organization has been working with Julie Chavez at Bank of America, who made them aware of the opportunity. The multiyear general operating funds put the organization in a good position, as a six year old organization that is coming out of the startup phase and moving into the established organization phase. The organization started with four employees and has grown to close to 40 employees. Gallo will receive support as part of the emerging leader development in the program.

“I feel like I learn more about leadership all the time, but also I’ve been at RW for a lot of my career and so I get more outside training and open my eyes to different ways of thinking about things and meeting other partners across the industry and how they’re doing it,” Gallo said.

Revolution Workshop will use the support it receives from the Neighborhood Builders program to do alumni work, which is aimed at keeping the graduates in the construction career path. Rodriguez said it is imperative that the organizations stay with the alumni to ensure their success. 

“These types of funds allow us to provide those critical retention services for our alumni and graduates,” Rodriguez said. He added that the staff tasked with retention services are often not covered by the government funding that the organization receives.

Revolution Workshop is embarking on a new initiative which involves renovating a house in Pullman, using the organization’s alumni. The intention of the initiative is to sell the home to one of the organization’s alumni, as a way to restore the community. Rodriguez said restoring a home, restoring a block and restoring a community is restoration without gentrification. Having flexible funds allows the organization to embark on endeavors like this one.

For more information about Revolution Workshop, visit www.revolutionworkshop.com.



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