Apprentice carpenter, member since 2018
Cindy is a mother of three children who had a steady but unsatisfying career in the medical field. At the advice of a friend, she explored the Carpenters union’s apprenticeship program in Albany.
Tyeka grew up in the foster care system, shuffling between homes and group care in MA and NY. She aged out of the foster care system at seventeen and in her words, she was in and out of trouble and dead-end jobs for a couple of years after that. She is a single mom. She became an apprentice carpenter six years ago, and credits the Carpenters Union for turning her…
3rd year apprentice Carpenter
Theresa lives in Northampton and is a graduate of UMass Amherst, with a degree in Sustainable Food and Plant & Soil Science. She worked for four years in farming and was a greenhouse manager in the region.
2nd year apprentice Carpenter
Prior to becoming an apprentice carpenter, Katurah was driving for Uber and homeless. She was couch surfing, living with different friends and family, and trying to pay as many of her bills as she could afford.
24-year journey-level Carpenter, union Steward, union executive board member
Dave is Puerto Rican but born and raised in Springfield. He grew up in a rough neighborhood and unlike a lot of his friends who ended up in gangs and in trouble, he was fortunate to connect with a teacher who got him involved with the Carpenters Union.
3rd year apprentice Carpenter
Marilyn is married and has a blended family of four kids. She describes herself as American Puerto Rican and started with the Carpenters Union in NYC. She left that program because of health issues which prevented her from being able to make the classes.
16-year journey-level Carpenter, union steward
Lily lives in the hill towns region of Western Mass in Plainfield. She is a journey level carpenter and has been in the union for over sixteen years. Lily went to Franklin Tech for carpentry, choosing the field because she liked working with her hands and was nervous about the electrical shop.
3rd year apprentice Carpenter
Brian grew up in Springfield, served in the Marines and became a barber when he left the Marines. After twenty years working as a barber, Brian was ready for a change and for a more steady paycheck and benefits.
2nd year apprentice Carpenter
Stephanie grew up in the Springfield area, joined the army at seventeen and served for three years, including two combat deployments to the Middle East. Returning home to Western Mass, she went to community college to become a mechanic, but was unable to find steady work, resulting in a period of homelessness.
6-year journey-level Carpenter, union delegate
Julie wanted to be a carpenter since she was little playing with legos and Lincoln logs. She grew up in Easthampton and went to Smith Vocational for Carpentry. A