Success Stories

Emmanuel came to Franklinton Rising when we expanded our efforts into an additional inner-city neighborhood in Columbus. He was bright and enthusiastic, and he worked hard to learn construction, life, and employability skills. Even after a foot fracture, Emmanuel came to work to help wherever he could. His work ethic has paid off. After completing our program, Emmanuel accepted a role with the highly-regarded George Igel Company. Congratulations, Emmanuel. Here’s to a bright future for you and your family!

Destiny came to us after graduating from high school. She was very interested in construction, even though she also worked at least two other jobs and rode her bike everywhere. Destiny worked hard to learn basic construction skills. As she got more training and experience, Destiny became more interested in design and the build process. Once she completed our program, Destiny enrolled at Columbus State to pursue a degree in architecture.     

Camden came to us while still in high school at Franklinton High School. He was very interested in construction, but was socially withdrawn and didn’t communicate with anyone. He worked with us and was pretty reliable, being on time for his shifts or communicating via text if he needed to miss one. He became more comfortable working with us and started communicating more verbally. We discovered he had a lisp, but when he opened up, no one made fun of the way he talked, so he started to open up more. He gradually became one of our best workers and was hired by a flooring company as a flooring apprentice. He also went through the pre-apprenticeship curriculum and obtained his OSHA 10 certification.   

Anthony came to Franklinton Rising while still in high school at Franklinton Prep. He was in the Construction class at the school, so he joined our program to learn more. At first, Anthony was very inconsistent in his attendance for his work shifts, but we worked with him and kept reminding him to be on time every time. Eventually, Anthony became one of our most experienced and reliable apprentices. Through the school, he achieved certification in NCCER Core and OSHA 10, and we provided him with the site hours he needed. He was recently hired by a remodeling contractor and is learning more about remodeling houses.  

Carmelo came to us from West High School. He graduated from high school while working part-time at White Castle, also supporting his very young family.  Since entering our program, he has completed the pre-apprenticeship curriculum and obtained his OSHA 10 card. He worked hard with us for several months and decided he wanted to go to school for HVAC. He enrolled at Columbus State and is working toward becoming a Certified HVAC Technician.  

At Franklinton Rising, we are committed to transforming lives through skilled trades training and the creation of affordable housing in Central Ohio. We reached an exciting milestone in our journey: expanding our operations to a second neighborhood, South of Main. This project doubles our impact, with two training teams now working in both Franklinton (West) and South of Main (East), providing underserved young people with life-changing opportunities in the construction industry. Empowering Young People Through Skilled Trades Our teams, guided by talented industry professionals, are building affordable homes while fostering expertise in skilled trades. These professionals serve not just as supervisors but as mentors, dedicated to equipping trainees with the skills and confidence they need to secure meaningful employment. Thanks to their guidance, our program graduates are finding positions with leading companies across Central Ohio. Recent successes include: Nick is now employed with Mr. Rooter as a plumbing apprentice. Jayvon, who has begun an electrician apprenticeship with KEP. Sylvester was hired by Elevate Concrete Systems as a carpenter apprentice.

Franklinton Rising hosted an open house celebrating the completion of our 8th property transformation, an aging structure now reborn as a beautiful 3-bedroom-per-side duplex. This milestone also marks our 11th and 12th restored residences, made available to ministries and families in need of affordable housing. The project reflects the dedication and skill of our apprentices, whose hard work brought this vision to life. What makes this home especially meaningful is that one of our former apprentices is now living there. Over the past 2.5 years, he has grown into a mentor, teacher, and leader within our program. Today, he is a homeowner, husband, and father of two. This property is more than shelter; it represents stability, financial growth, and a decisive step away from poverty. His faith, work ethic, and commitment to others make him a powerful example in the community. This achievement is made possible by the generosity of supporters who believe in our mission. Their partnership allows us to continue investing in young people and strengthening our neighborhood. We invite you to join us in creating lasting change for the families we serve.

We are proud to announce that one of our apprentices, Max, has been hired by IBEW 683. He will be pursuing a career as a union electrician. We are so happy for Max and his achievements! We presented him with an Electrician’s tool pouch and some tools this past week to get him started on his career. Thank you to Ohio Power Tool and Milwaukee Tool for their donation.

Ivan was introduced to Franklinton Rising after participating in a construction class while a student at Central High School. He is now launching a career in the building trades! Although he has faced much adversity in life, he has grown into a motivated leader demonstrating solid character and ready to begin his career in electrical construction. His journey at Franklinton Rising began with personal challenges at home, but thanks to the organization’s support and flexibility, he found his voice and emerged as a leader in his workplace. After high school graduation, Ivan began preparing to obtain a driver’s license, a necessity for those working in construction. He obtained his driver’s license and purchased his first vehicle with the help of his Godfather and down payment from Franklinton Rising. His hands-on training at Franklinton Rising equipped him with valuable skills, and he is now employed by IBEW 683. Ivan has taken a significant step by submitting his application to become an electrical technician, with plans to further his education in the electrical trade. Ivan’s inspiring story is a testament to his resilience in the face of adversity, and he has made remarkable progress in his life.

We are excited to celebrate the graduation of two outstanding individuals from our program: Ivan and Lathanial. As they take this important step forward, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for the promising futures ahead. Ivan has joined the Local 683 Electrical Workers Union, demonstrating both his passion for electrical work and his commitment to the trade. His decision positions him for a strong and impactful career in the electrical industry, and we are confident he will continue to grow and succeed in this field. Lathanial has been hired by Connect Housing Blocks, a testament to his skill, dedication, and potential in the construction and housing sector. His hard work has paid off, and we are excited to see him contribute to meaningful projects that strengthen communities. We are incredibly proud of both graduates and the positive impact they made during their time in our program. Their paths reflect the wide range of opportunities available in the skilled trades. Ivan and Lathanial, your achievements inspire us, and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the years ahead.

For Alex, the journey began after high school graduation when he found himself at a crossroads. Meeting Franklinton Rising President Tom Heffner proved to be transformative. “After I graduated, it was like I didn’t know who I was, I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life. Then I met Tom. He told me I could start the next day.” Tom explained, “Alex represents our first former trainee who we’ve helped place, has gotten a really good job in construction, and now earns sufficient money to come back and is able to literally buy a house.” Alex likened the moment to signing a contract for a major sports league, “It felt like I was signing a contract for the NBA or NFL.” Tom recognized Alex’s potential early on, noting his growth in responsibility and dedication to work. This extended beyond acquiring a home; he actively participated in building the foundation for his new residence. Alex expressed his desire to leave a legacy for his family, “I want it to be the best for my kids and my family. It’s like leaving a legacy. They’ll be able to say, “My dad did this for me.” Read The Fox28 Article Here.

An 18-year-old trainee began a journey that not only strengthened his construction skills but also transformed his life. During his time in our program, he helped complete two homes in Franklinton while reaching a major personal milestone of earning his high school diploma. Along the way, he developed valuable life and trade skills, but like many inner-city youth, he faced a key barrier to long-term success: the lack of a driver’s license and reliable transportation. Determined to move forward, he continued working toward his goals. In his final months as a trainee, we supported him in obtaining a temporary permit and provided driving lessons to build his confidence and experience. He soon earned his Ohio driver’s license, opening new doors for employment. We also helped him secure a reliable vehicle by contributing to the down payment alongside his own savings. After gaining hands-on experience with a local contracting firm, Kan’ye felt called to give back. Today, he has returned to Franklinton Rising as a supervisor, helping train and mentor the next generation. His journey has come full circle, and his story stands as a powerful example of growth, perseverance, and opportunity.