toolsupfoundation

Directions Website

toolsupfoundation A 501c3 nonprofit, training the community in construction.

09/21/2026

♠️ All in for a great cause! ♦️

Last Friday, we had the honor of attending ’s She Levels Up Poker Night and celebrating the incredible work being done to create more opportunities for women in the trades.

We’re honored that our founder, Dominique Jones, and Tools Up Foundation were recognized as beneficiaries alongside Chicago Women in Trades (). We’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to invest in women and create opportunities for them to thrive.

Thank you, , for an unforgettable evening and for acknowledging and supporting the work Tools Up is doing! ♥️♣️

09/02/2026

A seat at the table leads to lasting impact. 🎤🛠️

Our Founder, Dominique Jones, was honored to join the CBC Workforce Development Panel to discuss the future of construction and creating pathways into the skilled trades through education, mentorship, and opportunity.

Every conversation is a step toward building stronger communities and empowering the next generation of builders and leaders.


Tools Up is creating pathways into the construction industry as a whole, from the job sites to the design table, project...
08/31/2026

Tools Up is creating pathways into the construction industry as a whole, from the job sites to the design table, project management, and development.

The goal is exposure, access, education, and ultimately creating a pipeline of young people who can see themselves not only working in the industry, but also leading, designing, managing, developing, and owning within it.

Learn more about Tools Up Foundation's programs; link in bio

08/28/2026

At Tools Up Foundation, we’re not just creating opportunities in construction for teens and young adults. We’re changing the narrative around youth in Chicago and the South Shore.

We’re still feeling the energy and excitement from our first-ever TUF Teens Construction Summit, and we’re not slowing down.

“The One” — an all-girls construction development team from Public Schools, Shore International College Prep HS, Park Academy High School Phillips Academy High School— took home both Best Community Concept AND Community Favorite. Presentations, power tools, and a room full of people who showed up for them. Congratulations to the other teams who presented that day. Each one of them put in the hours, learned the craft, and stood in front of a crowd to show what they built.

This is just the beginning of how we get to showcase the skills teens are building through our programs. We invite our community to become part of the movement TUF Teens is building.

Thank you again to our community partners, 5th Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy and to the Don Nash Community Center of Chicago Park District for hosting. This work would not be possible without your support.

Visit Toolsup.org to support the work of building brighter futures for Chicago youth.

On August 1, we hosted our first-ever TUF Teens Construction Summit, and our teens showed up. 🔨Families, friends, commun...
08/25/2026

On August 1, we hosted our first-ever TUF Teens Construction Summit, and our teens showed up. 🔨
Families, friends, community partners, and board members filled the room to watch them take full ownership of their work: presenting their vision, sharing what they learned, and standing proudly before a cheering crowd. Guests walked through the projects, cast their votes, and helped award well-earned scholarships and honors.

Hailing from South Shore, Hyde Park, and Phillips High Schools, the all-girls construction development team “The One” dominated the competition, taking home BOTH the Best Community Concept AND Community Favorite awards for their community built for Student Athletes.
A special thank you to Alderman 5th Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy for coming out to support our teens and share words with them, and to the Don Nash Community Center for hosting us.

But the hands-on learning didn’t stop at the presentations. Working alongside industry experts, including hands-on instructor Tariq’s, our teens built two heavy-duty workbenches from scratch, mastering real tools and essential safety protocols along the way. Those benches are staying with us, and future cohorts will train on what this group built.

We are so proud of these young people. They put in the hours, learned the craft, and showed this city exactly what they’re capable of. The future is bright. 💛

Workforce development only works when the people behind it are invested in outcomes, not just enrollment.At Tools Up Fou...
08/18/2026

Workforce development only works when the people behind it are invested in outcomes, not just enrollment.

At Tools Up Foundation, Victoria Wright serves as Career Bridge, delivering individualized coaching that moves participants from training into employment and registered apprenticeships — backed by direct relationships with unions, contractors, and employers.

Tarana Wroten serves as Program Designer, building curriculum that reflects real workforce demand and pairs technical training with the leadership and life skills that make career success last.

This is what it takes to close the skilled trades gap: people, not just programs.

Meet the Partner: Hugs Inc. Health Career TrainingEvery TUF student earns a CPR, First Aid, and AED certification befor...
08/14/2026

Meet the Partner: Hugs Inc. Health Career Training

Every TUF student earns a CPR, First Aid, and AED certification before they finish the program. That happens because of Hugs Inc.

Construction has one of the highest injury rates of any industry, and the first responder on any jobsite is whoever is standing closest. We want our graduates to be someone who knows what to do, and we want that credential on their résumé when a foreman is deciding who to hire.

Hugs Inc is a state-approved health career training center in Lansing, Illinois, with programs recognized by IDPH, AMCA, NCCT, NHA, and the IBHE. They also train CNAs, phlebotomists, and EKG technicians.

We are so glad to have this partnership where two organizations in different sectors are building one pathway.

Thank you to the Hugs Inc team.

No one steps onto a job site untrained. Every TUF Teens and Pave the Way Up student leaves OSHA-10 certified - trained t...
08/13/2026

No one steps onto a job site untrained. Every TUF Teens and Pave the Way Up student leaves OSHA-10 certified - trained to protect themselves and their crew since day one.

Safety isn't an add-on at Tools Up Foundation. It's the foundation.

College debt follows people for decades. Tools up programs don't cost you a dime - you walk out with certifications empl...
07/27/2026

College debt follows people for decades. Tools up programs don't cost you a dime - you walk out with certifications employers actually want, not a loan statement.

Address

1500 E 71st Street Suite #3
Chicago, IL

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when toolsupfoundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category