Campaign Description:

Every year, more than 7,000 Minnesotans leave prison determined to rebuild their lives—yet without a recognized skill or a safe place to sleep, many return to the same cycle that trapped them.

Hard Hats for Parolees is a 501(c)(3) turning that cycle into a launchpad. We equip justice‑impacted men and women with OSHA‑30 and General Construction Certificates, hands‑on mentorship, and direct entry into union apprenticeships. We’re also renovating donated houses into “Second‑Chance Homes,” safe spaces where participants can live while they train.

To make the next class possible—and secure the first home—we must raise $15,000.

Where Your Gift Goes

Need	Amount	Impact
Certify two instructors as OSHA Outreach & NCCER trainers (course fees, travel)	$6,000	Doubles our training capacity; each certified trainer can qualify 60+ students a year.
Course materials & exam fees for 20 participants (textbooks, PPE, testing)	$4,000	Covers every workbook, hard‑hat, and card fee—no student pays a dime.
Closing & due‑diligence costs on our first donated “Second‑Chance Home” (title search, appraisal, insurance binder)	$3,000	Turns a vacant house into an eight‑bed transitional home this fall.
Workshop safety upgrades (extension cords, eye‑wash station, fire extinguishers)	$2,000	Meets OSHA shop requirements and keeps trainees injury‑free.

Total Goal: $15,000

Your Impact

$50 → buys a trainee’s PPE kit (hard‑hat, gloves, safety glasses).
$150 → funds one learner’s OSHA‑30 exam fee and wallet card.
$500 → covers a trainer’s week‑long OSHA Outreach certification.
$1,500 → pays the title search & closing on a donated re‑entry house.
$5,000 → secures and insures the first “Second‑Chance Home.”

Within six months of graduating, 83 % of our alumni earn $25–$32/hr in union apprenticeships or commercial construction—proving that second chances build strong communities.

Build Their Bridge Back: $15,000 for Training & Homes

Build Their Bridge Back: $15,000 for Training & Homes