Build Back Stronger
Building Careers, Rebuilding Communities.
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 invests in people from here to do the work needed here. We connect the talent and potential of local young people with one of our region’s greatest needs: rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. By bringing recovery and workforce development together, young people earn while they learn—gaining hands-on experience, industry credentials, and pathways to careers that can change the economic trajectory of families and communities.
The impact multiplies. Community partners gain skilled hands to move critical rebuilding work forward. Employers connect with emerging local talent. And recovery dollars do more than repair homes—they build local capacity, create lasting economic opportunity, and help ensure that the benefits of rebuilding stay rooted right here in Western North Carolina.
BUILD YOUR FUTURE.
Ready to Learn, Earn, and Find Out What Comes Next?
Click below to fill out the interest form and talk to the Hood Huggers team.
BUILD WITH US.
Community partnerships are what make it all possible!
Do you have expertise to share? A project that needs hands? Open positions to fill?
FUEL THE MISSION
Want to help young people build careers and rebuild their own communities?
Your support puts tools in hands, skills to work, and opportunity within reach.
BUILT TOGETHER
Build Back Stronger is powered by partnership. From construction sites and classrooms to career pathways and community support, our partners bring the places, people, expertise, nourishment, and opportunities that turn training into something real.
WANT TO BUILD WITH US?
Bring your expertise, employment opportunities, worksites, tools, equipment, resources — or an idea. There’s a place for you in this work!
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.