Built Together: Jayden’s Path to Purpose

Built Together: Jayden’s Path to Purpose

From building a small wooden boat in middle school to building entire homes in his new job, Jayden has found a place he thrives. 

Fortunately for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, that place is our construction team.

Jayden came to Milwaukee Habitat through WRTP | BIG STEP, a workforce development organization that connects people to jobs in construction, manufacturing, and other trades. Milwaukee Habitat and WRTP | BIG STEP partner to create pathways into the trades while strengthening our team with skilled, dedicated builders.

During the program, a day spent on a Milwaukee Habitat build site sparked something in Jayden.

“During that day, I pictured myself doing this,” Jayden said. “It felt so good making the stud walls and meeting everyone. Everyone was so nice. I like doing this. I walked away and told my teacher that I want to do carpentry and this is where I want to be.”

Not too long after, in April of last year, Jayden was hired on as an intern at Milwaukee Habitat. During the past year, Jayden has learned the ropes of Habitat construction projects and also embraced the people that make Milwaukee Habitat what it is. 

“It all came like a wave to me, like a calm wave,” Jayden said. “At first I was like this is so hard, but then with everyone on site, it felt like a smooth wave. We’re all doing this together. It’s that ambition. It feels good to work with people who have ambition and drive to get this done.”

Jayden joined a team of devoted staff members and dedicated volunteers. He experienced what it meant to be part of a group that relied on and trusted each other, especially during more difficult days.

“I’ve learned patience,” Jayden said. “Sometimes a situation or task is going to take you an hour. Some days it’s going to be longer because of the weather. When it comes to volunteer groups, construction assistants, construction supervisors, and habitual volunteers, we lean on each other. Rain is affecting us but we are going to complete this at the end of the day.”

After spending time as an intern, Jayden’s hope was to become a permanent part of staff, as he was looking for something to become a part of.

One day, Milwaukee Habitat’s Field Operations Manager, Tom, stopped Jayden at work.

Through Milwaukee Habitat’s partnership with WRTP | BIG STEP, Jayden found a place he loves and Milwaukee Habitat gained a hard-working new staff member.

“He has worked hard over the past several months to get to where he is now,” Tom, Milwaukee Habitat’s Field Operations Manager said. “He showed great potential right from the start and quickly began developing his construction skills with us. He is professional and cares about our mission, and has a desire to continue to grow and develop… He is an example of a great success story of the partnership with WRTP.”

Jayden sees and feels the impact of a program like WRTP | BIG STEP and believes it is a great opportunity for people to find success.

“It gives people like me an opportunity,” Jayden said. “It’s not just college and school that you need to be successful in life. It’s almost a new-world feeling. Compared to school, learning with your hands is a very good feeling. I see the partnership as a bridge opportunity. It gives people who are ambitious an opportunity to get up on their feet and prove to themselves that they can do something. If you give people like me the opportunity to blossom, it’s not going to be taken for granted.” 

When entering the trades, Jayden might not have known he would help change people’s lives, but now at Habitat, he works alongside the future homeowners. Billy, a future Milwaukee Habitat homeowner made a specific impact on Jayden. They worked together building Billy his future home.

“I’ve learned Billy’s backstory in the trades and how he wants to provide his kids and family a new home,” Jayden said. “He has plenty of ideas for his house. He’d come over to me and say ‘I’m happy with my basement.’ I remember going downstairs with him so he could show me his basement and where he wants to put a man cave. I talked to him and others a lot and saw the vision of what they want to do. It’s going to be awesome to see him move in and the vision of where he wants to go. He’s going into that house motivated and wanting to improve his family’s life.”

Jayden with his supervisor, Steve

Jayden and the construction staff help build the house so that homeowners like Billy can make it their own.

“We help give them that foundation, and they build up more on top of that,” Jayden said.

When looking at his future career with Milwaukee Habitat, Jayden knows who he wants to be.

“I want to be the guy that they can rely on,” Jayden said. “Go do trusses one day, put in roof beams another day. I want to be the guy they lean on in stressful situations out on site.”

As Jayden continues his work with Milwaukee Habitat, he humbly brings back his whole experience to those around him. The construction staff and construction leaders have made Milwaukee Habitat a place he wants to come to every day. 

“I love coming here every day,” Jayden said. “Everyone on staff is amazing.” 

The construction leaders have made a lasting impact on Jayden’s life and when asked if he has anything else he wanted to share, Jayden said:

“I have to give a shoutout to my supervisor Steve. Working with him, learning from him, having frustrating moments where we can’t figure something out, and working together to figure it out next time. Learning from him has been a blessing. He’s impacted me for sure.”

Jayden’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when organizations work together to provide opportunity and support. Through Milwaukee Habitat’s partnership with WRTP | BIG STEP, he found more than a job; he found purpose and a place to grow.

And as Jayden helps build homes alongside future homeowners, he’s also helping build something bigger: a stronger community, new opportunities for others, and lasting change.

Together, we build homeownership.