This spring we launched Blueprint Builds, a Community Engagement program led by Layton Kauffman and Ares Messina where youth learn basic carpentry and repair skills that can be used throughout life! We partnered with HIS Bridge Builders, an after school program on the east side of San Antonio that allowed Blueprint to use their building.

Ares shares his experience with piloting this program:

Our Community Engagement team showed up with a truck full of power tools and we took three middle school boys and showed them exactly how to use each tool safely. We knew it would not be enough to simply teach them about the tools and leave, so we started each day with a fun construction-related activity or game, from egg drops to spaghetti marshmallow towers. The activities were followed by the boys building a game of cornhole that they would ultimately donate to His Bridge Builders.

The tools and projects, however, quickly became the secondary focus as we got to teach about Christ and share life stories with the students. We had as much fun joking around and building relationships as the boys did using power tools for the first time.

The program ended as schools took time off for Spring Break, but the boys took one last day to rebuild a wheelchair ramp for a man living in their neighborhood. It was a full day of work but time well spent to both use new skills learned and to help out so close to home."

Blueprint looks forward to continuing our friendships with these young men. Thanks to HIS Bridge Builders for your partnership and collaboration!