Build Back Stronger

Building Careers, Rebuilding Communities.

LEARN MORE & JOIN
FUEL THE MISSION
BECOME A PARTNER

MORE THAN A

TRAINING PROGRAM.

Your Future. Our Community. Stronger Together.

More than a construction training program— Build Back Stronger is a chance to build a career, earn while you learn, and be part of rebuilding Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Over approximately five months, you'll earn paid stipends while gaining hands-on experience, nationally recognized certifications, leadership skills, and the confidence to take your next step.

Whether you're exploring your future or ready to start a career, we'll help you discover the path that's right for you. From construction training and industry certifications to career coaching, job placement, and ongoing support, you'll leave with real skills, real experience, and real opportunities. Build your future. Rebuild your community. Be part of something bigger.

GET PAID

Earn stipends while you train.

LEARN NEW SKILLS

Hands-on construction training from industry pros.

EARN CERTIFICATIONS

OSHA 10, HBI-PACT Core Construction, First Aid/CPR, and more.

REBUILD WNC

Help heal & rebuild our community.

WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD, OUR

COMMUNITIES GET STRONGER.

Build Back Stronger connects the talent and potential of local young people with one of our region’s greatest needs: rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.

Young people gain paid experience, skills, credentials, and pathways into careers. Community partners gain crews helping move critical recovery work forward. Employers connect with emerging talent. And together, we’re building a stronger local workforce rooted right here in Western North Carolina.

Build Back Stronger is a project of Hood Huggers Foundation and is funded in part (50%) by a $500,000 federal grant awarded to Hood Huggers Foundation from the Appalachian Regional Commission (NC Area Development). The total cost of this project is $1,000,000, of which $500,00, or 50%, is supported by American Red Cross and Hood Huggers Foundation.

Under Instruction Academy

Where the journey begins

The entry point for young people ages 12-17 to explore career possibilities through weekly community improvement projects. Participants build essential soft skills like communication and teamwork while discovering fields like environmental stewardship, community design, and creative arts.

Learn more

Ages 12-17

  • Once weekly for 3 hours

  • Incentivized internship format

Everybody Huddle Up!

Youth-led advocacy and community organizing

Everybody Huddle Up! is a youth-led initiative in Asheville, North Carolina, focused on strengthening civic engagement, policy literacy, and community accountability. It achieves this by utilizing Hood Huggers International’s Community Accountability Plan (CAP Framework) to align existing local frameworks.

Download our Everybody Huddle Up! flyer.

Learn more

Ages 13 - 18

  • Monthly meetings + quarterly events and trips

  • Stipends for participation

We are grateful to all of our partners!

Contact Hood Huggers Foundation

We look forward to hearing from you!


Email
connect@hoodhuggersfoundation.org

Phone
(828) 419-0743