Mission: The BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans (Powered by HBI) was established as the leading educational resource for career technical education in the building industry.
Founded by Brittany and Drew Brees and the Brees Dream Foundation in collaboration with the BuildStrong Academy, The BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans is a National Nonprofit Organization that has provided training, curriculum development, and job placement services for the building industry for the past 50 years of building careers and changing lives.
The Academy, managed by HBI, offers a tuition-free Construction Trades Training Program for individuals aged 18 and above, aimed at preparing them for careers in the residential construction industry. This nine-week program offers comprehensive training, including hands-on experience, employability skills, safety training, and job placement assistance upon successful completion at no cost to the student.
“I joined HBI with the expectation of enhancing skills I thought I already possessed. However, after completing the program, I realized the depth of character building, teamwork, and invaluable skills I gained,” says Ronisha Johnson, BuildStrong Academy GNO Graduate. “It has been the best experience of my life.”
How To Help:
If you want to become an employer partner or mentor for our students, please contact Operations Manager Leigh Hallas at lhallas@hbi.org. We also appreciate in-kind donations of Sam’s or Home Depot gift cards, cases of bottled water, and even unused lumber, sheetrock, or siding.
For all online donors, please notate that your contribution is for the New Orleans Academy. You can learn how to donate and so much more at hbi.org/buildstrong-nola.
504-677-8400 // hbi.org/buildstrong-nola
