BuildUP Community School, a private workforce development high school that started in 2017, recently congratulated its first student to reach the school’s goal of homeownership.
Torrey Washington, who is now 21 years old, was one of BuildUP’s first students. He got involved with the school in the summer of 2018 after attending a job fair with his sister. He met Mark Martin, BuildUP’s founder, who invited him to a bootcamp he oversaw in Ensley.“It’s amazing to be a homeowner,” Washington said. “Everyday it feels so unreal. I don’t wanna let it get to my head, though–there’s still a lot of work to be done. I’m ready to keep moving forward.
BuildUP aims to help students from disadvantaged communities buy affordable houses in Birmingham, hoping to help them build personal wealth and revitalize struggling communities.Ninth and tenth grade students engage in a curriculum that focuses on a process of discovery where they learn about different career options. In 11th and 12th grade, students are placed in internships or apprenticeships with local businesses that align with their career interests.
While at BuildUp, Washington mostly learned carpentry skills. A counselor gave him the opportunity to work on a crew at BLOX, a construction and manufacturing company in Bessemer, which he is still a part of today. In 2022, Washington started going to school for HVAC at Lawson State and expects to be done this fall.
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