The Rising Stars Program, a nonprofit that aims to close the skilled labor gap by connecting young adults with career pathways within the construction industry, hosted its inaugural Town Hall in early April. The virtual event brought together more than 50 attendees from across the nation to celebrate program milestones, engage with students and partners, and highlight the continued growth of the organization.

The interactive event featured several major announcements, including the Rising Stars’s newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, its strategic goals for 2025, the introduction of the program’s new board of directors, and the hiring of its first full-time program manager.

“This Town Hall gave us a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come since launching Rising Stars in 2020,” said David Hutchinson, executive director of the Rising Stars Program. “It was powerful to see so many supporters, partners and graduates gathered in one space. The energy and shared commitment that radiated at this event shows just how deeply this work matters.”

The event also included personal testimonials from Rising Stars alumni, including Tyron Stearns, who shared how the program helped launch their careers and instill a sense of purpose. Stearns, now associate director of the program, emphasized mentorship, access and investing in youth as critical factors in shaping the next generation of construction professionals.

Attendees also heard updates from Colleen Andrews, the newly appointed program manager for Achieve Green—Rising Stars’s sustainability-focused career pathways initiative for graduating high school seniors. With recent program expansions into cities like Charlotte and Brockton, and more than 80 graduates to date, Rising Stars is gaining national traction and growing its reach.

“We’re building real pathways to success,” said Hutchinson, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration from industry and community partners. “This is just the beginning.”

In tandem with the Town Hall event, Rising Stars also unveiled its newly launched website (www.risingstarsprogram.org), which will serve as a central hub for students, educators and partners to learn more about the program’s mission and how to get involved.