TESTIMONIALS

Commended by President Gerald R. Ford as an “innovative, community based
solution to the problems of many at-risk youth.”
2003 Non-Profit of the Year – The Desert Business Achievement Awards Program.
Best Workforce Plan Implemented – National Association of Home Builders.
February 13, 1998 proclaimed “Building Horizons Day in California” by Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis.
“I want to be a contractor,” states Alfonso. He joined the Building Horizons Program at the start of the school year and enjoys it. Since Alfonso’s father runs a local construction company, he has been around construction for most of his life. At Building Horizons, he wanted to take his knowledge a little bit farther and build a house from the ground up. “I’m learning a lot so far . . . I want to pursue a career in construction and start taking college courses.” His desire to learn and apply the knowledge shows. Alfonso’s instructors praise him for the work
he does every day. “I can give him anything for framing and he can do it himself,” states Troy Cloud.
So what does this seventeen-year-old do in his spare time? Every weekday morning you can find him at Coachella Valley High School where he is an honor student. For three hours every afternoon, he attends the Building Horizons program. In the evenings, he has a part-time job in order to save for college and a car. With Carlos’ full schedule, he finds the time to attend our program because, “You get to build a house from the ground up. Learn every step of it. That’s Cool.” In the future, Carlos wants to work in construction and go to school for architecture. With all of his goals, Carlos’ instructors at Building Horizons are impressed with his focus and ability to learn quickly. “He is such a great student,” Leonel Flores states,” I know he’ll go to college and do whatever he wants in life.“
Marco Pulido and Elizabeth Suarez, both seventeen, have been enrolled in architecture at Cathedral City High School for two years. When they found the Building Horizons Program this year, it gave them both a chance to experience all the sides of architecture. “I wanted to learn the foundation of how to build . . . not just designing houses,” states Marco. “It’s a lot of fun and I’m learning how to do everything.” Elizabeth continues, “You even learn how to put up the walls and rooftops. It is exciting and scary at the same time.” “Marco and Elizabeth are all-round great students and participate well in the program. He’s smart, eager, and attentive,” states instructor Randy VanDerWerff. Marco has applied to both Long Beach State and Cal State Pamona.
I would sincerely like to express my gratitude and appreciation for all your foundation has done for me in pursuing my academic goals. The BIA College Scholarship is currently helping me pursue my dreams of becoming a Civil Engineer. I am currently half way through my first year at College of the Desert and the BIA College Scholarship fund has already paid for my whole year’s worth of text books and tuition! I truly appreciate the financial and educational help Building Horizons and BIA has done for my aspirations. In my ROP construction class at Cathedral City, I learned numerous skills in reading blue prints, running electrical circuits and, creating the proper grading and elevations. All these skills will eventually help with my career path in Civil Engineering. In around two years I hope to transfer to Cal State Fullerton to get my B.A. in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on Architectural Structure. With the generosity of Building Horizons and BIA, I will be able to pursue my dreams and continue my schooling for years to come. Thank you once again for your generosity. Sincerely, Cesar Ramirez Class of 2005-2006.
Masonry is hard work but I enjoy it and look forward to going to COD for Construction Management with the BIA Scholarship
Fund that I received. Thank you for making this possible. Chris Johnson, employee of John Barajas Masonry, Bermuda
Dunes, Graduate of Building Horizons Class 2005-2006.
“It was hard to stick with the class, but it was worth it!” Mario Torres, Building Horizons Class of 2003-2004.
“The Building Horizons class was good because it allowed us to get jobs with good pay.” Ricardo Cisneros, Building Horizons Class of 2003-2004.
“I have been learning more and more about interior finish work. It’s a lot of team effort to finish these big houses. Everyday is a good challenge.” Francisco Macias, Building Horizons Class of 2003-2004.
“Guy Evans is proud to be involved with Building Horizons. Francisco has a great attitude and is a team player.” Dan Varner, Tract Superintendent, Guy Evans, Inc.
“For the two years in Building Horizons I learned respect and responsibility for the job. I believe Building Horizons is a great program and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the team. I look forward to sharing my experience with the new students in La Quinta and Cathedral City.” Jose Avila, Building Horizons Classes of 2002-2003 and 2003-2004.
My name is Jose Arciga. I attended La Quinta High School for four years and graduated in 2007. Overall, I was generally a good student, excelled in academics, and took part in Building Horizons during my senior year. As a student on the job site, I took initiative and was typically assigned leadership roles by my instructors. I worked together with my peers as well as tradesmen on the job site. I can truly say that I learned valuable and practical building techniques. As for my educational goals, I am currently attending College of the Desert, and hope to transfer to either Cal State Los Angeles or San Diego State. I hope to major in science, particularly Geology. After college I hope to give back to Building Horizons and work with the organization in the near future.
My name is Cesar Ramirez and I am a graduate of the 2006 Cathedral City R.O.P. construction program. The R.O.P. construction program, sponsored by Building Horizons, enabled me as a student to learn discipline, teamwork, and the basics on how to build a home from the ground up. I am currently just two weeks away from completing my third semester at College of the Desert. My major is civil engineering with an emphasis on architectural structures. My long-term goal is to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering