St. Paul Church of God in Christ
Community Development Ministries, Inc

SPCDM Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training Program

Our Legacy

Bishop Henry Louis Ford dedicated his life to building opportunities for others. Among his many projects, he envisioned a senior living facility at St. Paul Church of God in Christ. After his passing, his son, Bishop Charles Mason Ford, carried that vision forward with the construction of the Margaret Ford Manor Senior Living Facility, ensuring minority participation in the process.

To support this effort, Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford served as Community Liaison. In that role, he discovered major barriers preventing People of Color and Women from entering Apprenticeship programs that lead to Union careers. This led to the founding of the SPCDM Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program in 2000.

Since then, the program has received over $3 million in funding and is recognized as one of Illinois’ most successful pathways, helping Community Members gain entry into the trades and achieve long-term economic stability.

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Pastor Kevin Ford

Maurice Harris

Construction worker in a hard hat and safety glasses working on a building frame with power tools and water bottle nearby.

SPCDM 2017 Graduate: Plumbers Local 130

Maurice  grew up in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. After losing his father at 19, he struggled and drifted onto the wrong path. But attending SPCDM’s 2016 Construction Expo changed his direction, he enrolled in the Pre-Apprenticeship training program and never looked back.

Maurice graduated the Program in 2017 and entered the Plumbers Union Apprenticeship with Local 130. Today, he’s a proud Journeyman plumber, homeowner, and devoted husband and father of five. He credits SPCDM for giving him the foundation to build a stable future for his family.

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Marquis Ruffin

A construction worker wearing a white safety helmet with stickers, black sunglasses, a neon green hoodie with a logo, and an orange safety vest, standing in front of a construction site with scaffolding and building materials.

SPCDM Graduate 2021:  Carpenters Union

Born and raised in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Marquis discovered his path in the building trades through SPCDM’s Pre-Apprenticeship program. He credits the program with opening his eyes to a wide range of trades and equipping him with the skills and confidence to successfully enter into the Carpenter’s Union.

Marquis was hired by W.E. O’Neil as part of the joint-venture of General Contractors “Concrete Collective”, where he was proud to contribute to the construction of the historic Obama Presidential Center.

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Amya Evans

SPCDM Graduate 2025: Painters Finishing Trades, DC 14 Local 1312

Amya always envisioned a career in construction but wasn’t sure how to take the first step. That changed when she enrolled at SPCDM, where new doors opened and her perspective broadened. While running her own home-based dessert business, Amya excelled in the program, graduating at the top of her class.

The discipline and determination she applied to growing her business now fuel her success as she builds a career in the trades. Amya is advancing as a Painter, developing her skills, expanding her opportunities, and laying the foundation for a strong and lasting future in construction.

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Joseph Washington

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SPCDM Graduate 2025: Laborer Union,

Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Joseph grew up in a household where his parents instilled the values of discipline, responsibility, and hard work from an early age. They supported his decision to pursue a career in the trades, recognizing his determination to build a future in a thriving industry.

In 2025, Joseph applied to SPCDM’s Pre-Apprenticeship program. From day one, he excelled, embracing the training, sharpening his skills, and setting clear goals for his path forward. With a strong work ethic and a vision for his future, Joseph plans to establish himself in the Union and continue building a career that provides stability, growth and pride.

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