Congratulations to our Graduating Cohort
We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of our most recent cohort from the Building Value Construction Training Program — a group that truly embodies growth, grit, and purpose.
Dawayne Duke has completed the program and is now a valued team member at the Building Value retail outlet in Northside, where he continues to put his training into practice every day. Meanwhile, Sufian Abu Ruman has discovered his calling in carpentry, honing precision and patience through his time in our labs and deconstruction sites.
De’Andre Estala recently earned an interview with Nelson Stark, one of Cincinnati’s leading plumbing firms, thanks to the one-on-one coaching and job readiness support from our Workforce Development Manager, Dave Daniels. His drive and professionalism are opening doors to a bright future in the trades.
Through weeks of rigorous training — including OSHA-10 certification, tool safety, deconstruction work, and construction math — each graduate has built a foundation not only of technical skills but of confidence, reliability, and career readiness.
🌟Volunteer Spotlight: Debbie Karle 🌟
Debbie started her construction career during her years at the University of Cincinnati and has developed a great sense of pride in her construction work. (Fun fact–UC founded the nation’s first co-op education program!)
As a retired Construction Manager with Jostin Construction, Debbie said she wanted to impart the knowledge she’s gained over the years to the next generation. That’s what brought her to the Building Value Construction Training Program.
“I have seen tradespeople who have done wonderful work in their career,” Debbie said. “But when they retire, they just put away their tools and don’t do anything after that.”
Architectural Salvage — Only at Building Value
We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Architectural Salvage category on our website — bringing sustainable design directly to your screen. Whether you’re restoring a historic home or seeking unique materials with character, this collection offers rare finds you won’t see in typical big-box stores.
What makes our architectural salvage collection truly special?
One-of-a-kind inventory — Because our pieces come from deconstruction sites and donor homes, you’ll find elements like vintage doors, stained glass, decorative moldings, mantels, and more — each with its own history and patina.
Curated & quality-checked — Every item is inspected for structural integrity and usability, then cleaned and organized for resale at our Northside store.
Mission-driven shopping — Every purchase supports our training programs and helps keep materials out of landfills.
Visit us at 4040 Spring Grove Avenue or explore the category online today.
You never know what you’ll find here!
In the News: iHeart Cinci features Building Value Construction Training Program
“[Program participants] go through a classroom portion training, which is three weeks in our construction lab at Easterseals Redwood,” said Brieann Sherlock, Business Development Manager at Building Value. “Then we set them up with all of the tools to be successful for when they get onto a job site.”
To celebrate Careers in Construction Month, Building Value was recently featured on iHeart Cinci to talk about how our social enterprise is opening doors to careers in construction while building a more sustainable Cincinnati.
Our Business Development Manager and Construction Training Program participant, Destiny Jackson, joined host Sandy Collins to discuss how Building Value—powered by Easterseals Redwood—helps Tri-Staters gain hands-on experience, professional certifications, and job placements in the skilled trades.
Listen to the full podcast on iHeart Cinci with Sandy Collins
New Colored Price Labels: A Smarter Way to Save!
In January, we launched a new color-coded pricing system designed to make shopping easier and savings even better! Since then, we have assigned a different color for newly priced items, and as time goes on, those items will move through a discount cycle.
How It Works
▸Each month, new items will be tagged with a specific color.
▸Those items will start at full price in their first month.
▸Every month after that, they’ll receive a bigger discount—giving shoppers great opportunities to save!
The Discount Schedule
▸Month 1 – Full Price (New Color)
▸Month 2 – 10% Off
▸Month 3 – 20% Off
▸Month 4 – 30% Off
▸Month 5 – 50% Off
▸Month 6 – 75% Off
Once items reach the six-month mark, they will be deeply discounted at 75% off, giving shoppers incredible deals before they’re removed from the sales floor.
For the month of October, all items with ORANGE labels are 75% off!
Be sure to check the color-coded tags each time you shop so you don’t miss out on amazing deals!
Introducing: Social Impact Reports
At Building Value, we’ve introduced a new way to help our deconstruction clients see the measurable difference their projects make — through our Social Impact Reports. These customized reports break down the positive environmental, economic, and social outcomes that result from choosing deconstruction over demolition.
How it works:
After each project, clients receive a detailed summary showing…
How many pounds of material were diverted from landfills
How much waste was reduced
How those reclaimed materials went on to benefit the community through resale and workforce training.
Each report highlights how the project directly supports Building Value’s Construction Training Program, which provides paid, hands-on experience to individuals building new careers in the trades.
These Social Impact Reports are more than just numbers on a page; they’re a transparent, tangible reflection of the shared good that comes from choosing the sustainable, community-minded approach to construction.
Get a Social Impact Report for your next project! Call us at (513) 740-1067 or email BSherlock@buildingvalue.org to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help you save money, reduce waste, and make a difference in our community.
Monthly Tuesday Discount Days
You have asked, and we have listened. Starting in 2025, we are rolling out our Tuesday discount days. On select Tuesdays of the month, we will be be honoring different groups with a discount.
Join us for freshly baked cookies and coffee and 20% off on our specialty discount days:
- 2nd Tuesday of the month: Senior Citizens (55+)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month: Veterans and active duty service members
- 4th Tuesday of the month: Our Northside Neighbors in zip code 45223
And remember to use your ArtsWave pass here at Building Value for a 20% discount anytime!
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