A New Home: How West Virginia Women Work Transformed a Forgotten Building into a Hub for Skilled Trades Training

In the heart of Dunbar, West Virginia, a long-abandoned schoolhouse has been brought back to life through the vision of West Virginia Women Work (WVWW) and a $825,000 Gable Grant from the Lowe's Foundation.

The nonprofit, which has been placing women into skilled trades careers for nearly 25 years, used its grant to purchase and renovate the schoolhouse constructed in 1939. After a brief stint as a church and years of vacancy, the structure was overtaken by pests and in disrepair.

For years, WVWW had operated out of borrowed spaces and makeshift offices. The idea of creating a permanent home for its program - a place where women could train, grow and thrive - felt out of reach prior to the Gable Grant. "We used to work out of tiny, donated offices," said Lisa Diehl, co-founder of West Virginia Women Work. "It is just astounding to me that from an office that barely held a desk and a table, we're now going to have this fabulous training facility. It really is a dream come true."

Through the hard work of WVWW's Fall 2024 pre-apprenticeship participants - ranging in age from 18 to 60 - guidance from their regional coordinator and help from local plumbers and pipefitters, the building was wholly transformed. This historic structure is now a hub of opportunity and a launchpad for women to build the skills they need to succeed in skilled trades careers. "This building was abandoned, but now it's alive again," said West Virginia Women Work Chief Operations Officer, Heather Shockney. "Together, we're building more than just a space - we're building careers, and we're building communities."

This refurbished space will house the Step Up for Women in Construction & Manufacturing Program, which offers training in welding, carpentry and electrical work. To support participants holistically, plans for the facility include on-site childcare, therapy services, laundry and food options - essential resources to remove barriers for women entering male-dominated industries. In the words of WVWW Executive Director, Carol Phillips, "Don't pull the ladder out just yet... the woman behind you needs that."

For the staff and students, this project represents the culmination of years of determination and resourcefulness. "The transformation of this building is incredible, and even more inspiring is the opportunity it creates for the women of West Virginia," said Diana Castaneda, Lowe's Foundation manager. "We're proud to support West Virginia Women Work in upskilling the next generation of tradeswomen."

The Gable Grant awarded to WVWW is a part of the Lowe's Foundation's larger mission of investing $50 million to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers through grants to community and technical colleges, community-based nonprofits and national nonprofit partners with a strong local presence. To learn more about the Lowe's Foundation, visit Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.