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.

An older man in a black double-breasted suit, striped tie, and glasses stands on a grand staircase, smiling at the camera. He is holding onto the wood railing with one hand, with a patterned red and green carpet on the stairs and a white wall with beige tiles behind him.

Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford

Joseph Washington

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SPCDM Graduate 2025: Laborers’ International Union of North America - Local 7

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 now has established himself in the Laborer’s Union and continues building a career that provides stability, growth and pride with Power Construction.

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Amya Evans

SPCDM Graduate 2025: International Union of Painters & Allied Trades, District Council 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.

A yellow card with white text expressing gratitude and self-confidence learned at St. Paul.

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: United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA), Plumber’s Union - 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.

A quote on a gold background about talking to young guys on the street, train, or corner and telling them there's another way even when they're on nerve.