Community Builders, the leading construction-based social enterprise in Northern and Central Ontario, is pleased to release its annual Impact Report. This marks the celebration of an exciting year of successes across all four of its locations: Barrie and Simcoe County, Greater Sudbury, the District of Muskoka, and Sault Ste. Marie. Community Builders is grateful to all our partners who collaborate to fulfill our mission: Building with Purpose, Empowering Individuals, Reinvesting in Communities.
“The Canadian economy, including the construction industry, had a challenging year marked by tariff pressures and slowed growth, but this meant an even greater need for affordable housing, skills training and meaningful employment,” explains Brandon Day, Co-founder and CEO. “We are immensely proud of the continued, positive economic and social impacts of Community Builders’ work.”
Highlights of Community Builders 2024-2025 Impact Report
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Professional construction crews completed 324 building projects: 50.0% in social housing, 21.9% renovations, 14.5% affordable housing, and 7.1% co-operative housing.
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For the ninth year, the non-profit contractor used its proceeds to offer a 12-week paid Skilled Trades Training Program to individuals with barriers to employment, helping to launch new career paths to meaningful, living-wage work. Last year, 85 trainees went through the program (385 in its history), and 89% of Community Builders graduates found stable employment within 6 months of course completion.
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The organization received renewed support for its program, funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy (CAS), the Ontario Skills Development Fund, the Home Depot Canada Foundation’s TradeWorx, and Meridian Credit Union’s Reframe Program.
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Once again, the Trades Training Program served a vastly diverse population, including women (31%), youth (54%), racialized people (38%), Indigenous People (13%) and individuals with disabilities, including mental health challenges (28%). The program has proven to be an effective tool for moving those transitioning out of corrections, those with low levels of education, and those with little job experience, into stable, meaningful employment in the trades sector.
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Community Builders’ skilled trades training saw an organic shift from previous years, reflecting today’s labour market realities and unemployment rates. Youth (aged 18-30) previously accounted for 22% of its training cohort, but in the last year, that increased to 54% of graduates.
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In addition to classroom and hands-on jobsite construction experience from framing to finishing, trainees graduate job-ready with safety certifications (WHIMIS, MOL-4step, Working at Heights), tools and PPE.
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Community Builders invests $20,000 per trainee in paying their wages, hiring expert trainers and delivering the program. Last year, the organization created $480,000 in paid training opportunities and delivered $100,000 in wraparound supports.
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The leadership and board developed an ambitious strategic plan that saw Community Builders replicate its success in Barrie/Simcoe County and Greater Sudbury by opening regional operations in Muskoka and Sault Ste. Marie, this past year.
“Community Builders continues to connect those who need work with the work that needs doing,” says Executive Director Carly Gasparini. “Our program offers a learning environment for those who want more than just a classroom; it offers a community where they are not only educated in skills but also gain the confidence they need to create a new path for themselves”.
Download the Community Builders 2024-2025 Impact Report from its website: www.communitybuilders.co
