Ampli5E

07/15/2026

At Ampli5E, we believe communities aren't strengthened by waiting for perfect solutions. They're strengthened when ordinary people decide to create them.

That can look like mentoring a student, teaching a new skill, supporting a local business, planting a tree, connecting neighbors, or helping someone discover a path they didn't know existed. Sometimes it means taking on something bigger, like building a tiny house or launching a new workforce initiative.

None of those ideas started because someone had all the answers. They started because someone cared enough to ask,

"What if?"

The challenges we face don't have to become roadblocks. They can become the spark that ignites new partnerships, new opportunities, new ideas, and new hope.

Real change doesn't begin with pointing out what's broken. It begins when someone asks, "What can we build together?"

That's where possibility begins.

Ampli5E
Amplifying Impact. Powered by Local Partnerships. Driven by Action.

07/05/2026

One of the things we care deeply about at Ampli5E is creating opportunities that change the direction of someone's life. That's why stories like this resonate with us. It isn't really about construction... it's about giving people the chance to learn a skill, discover they can do something they never imagined, and build a future they may never have thought possible.

Whether it's women entering the trades in Kenya or high school students here at home designing and building a tiny house, the idea is the same: when we invest in people, teach practical skills, and believe in what they're capable of, incredible things happen. This is a wonderful read and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing we can give someone is an opportunity.

Women make up a miniscule 3% of construction workers in Kenya. But a nonprofit group is offering them a way to get into the game ... and to get ahead.

07/01/2026

There are two kinds of people in the world... (okay... so you know I'm being just a tad facetious here, right?!)

❤️ Team Red (Milwaukee)
💛 Team Yellow (DeWalt)

I blame my brother for making me pick a 'side' years ago. His advice was simple: "Pick a brand and stick with it." One battery system. One charger. One set of batteries that works across your tools.

I went with red. Milwaukee.

Now I have Packouts, M18 tools, coffee mugs that lock into my Packouts (yes... that's actually a thing 😂), and confession... I have a Milwaukee flyer hanging on the inside of my closet door in my dining room. Taped up. I know. I may have a problem.

Michael? He's Team Yellow.

Jesse? Jesse refuses to pick sides. Apparently his shop is Switzerland. 🇨🇭🤣

The debate will probably never end, and really, that's half the fun.

What I'm even more excited about, though, is finding a local business that's just as passionate about the people using the tools as the tools themselves.

Dee and I recently spent some time at Lumber Barn in Bradford while ordering materials for our Tiny House on Wheels project, and we walked away incredibly impressed. Great people, great service, and a business that's genuinely committed to supporting local contractors, tradespeople, homeowners, schools, nonprofits, and community projects.

So... whether your garage is full of red (Go Red!), yellow, or a little of both, Lumber Barn has some terrific Milwaukee promotions happening right now. And something special happening next Thursday, July 9th! (check it out!)

Lumber Barn. They have A LOT of red!

And just for fun...

❤️ Team Milwaukee?
💛 Team DeWalt?
💚 Team "Whatever gets the job done?"

(No judging... well... maybe just a little. 😄)

⚡ Milwaukee Summer Savings are here! ⚡

Now through August 2, 2026, save on Milwaukee power tools, batteries, and accessories.

🔥 Buy One, Get One FREE offers
🔥 Special sale pricing on select products
🔥 Great deals for pros and DIYers alike

Stop by Lumber Barn and stock up on the tools you need for summer projects. See store for details.

07/01/2026

All of us at Ampli5E are excited to share that a $25,000 donation from a local anonymous donor in our Kearsarge Regional School District has launched the next phase of the KRHS Tiny House on Wheels Project, moving us more than one-third of the way toward our $65,000 fundraising goal and bringing students one step closer to beginning construction this fall!

The press release below highlights what this milestone means for our students, our school, and our community. THANK YOU to everyone who believes in this vision and continues to support the idea that when we come together, we can create opportunities that last for generations!

Thank you to Annette at The Intertown Record for sharing!

06/22/2026

One of the sweetest parts of Strawberry Festival yesterday was sharing cupcakes from Liv's Sweet Temptations (Liv Lord) with visitors at our Ampli5E booth, highlighting our Tiny House on Wheels Build Coming to KRHS this September 2026!

What many people didn't realize as they happily enjoyed their cupcakes was that they were GLUTEN FREE!

Now, let's be honest... gluten-free desserts sometimes get a bad reputation. Dry. Crumbly. A little disappointing. These were none of those things. They were moist, flavorful, beautifully decorated, and disappeared quickly throughout the day.

Liv Lord is the talented baker behind Liv's Sweet Temptations and also serves as Head Baker at The Refinery in Andover. Whether she's creating desserts for weddings, birthdays, community events, or everyday celebrations, Liv brings creativity, skill, and a whole lot of heart to everything she bakes.

As someone who has eaten more than my fair share of cupcakes over the years, I would never have guessed these were gluten free. Judging by the number of people who came back for seconds, I wasn't the only one.

Thank you, Liv, for helping make Strawberry Festival a little sweeter and for supporting Ampli5E and our efforts to create hands-on learning opportunities for students through projects like the KRHS Tiny House on Wheels build.

We are fortunate to have talented people like Liv in our community... people who quietly show up, share their gifts, and make celebrations, fundraisers, and everyday moments a little more special.

If you have a wedding, graduation, birthday, shower, or special event coming up, Liv's Sweet Temptations is well worth a look (https://www.livssweettemptations.com/)

And if someone offers you one of Liv's gluten-free cupcakes? My advice is simple... say yes.


Insta: https://www.instagram.com/livssweetts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sweetpeasbakeryy/

06/21/2026

A welder with zero debt at 23 is in a stronger financial position than most college grads at 30.

I know that statement is going to ruffle some feathers. Let me back it up with real math.

The average student loan balance for a 2025 graduate is around $37,000. The average time to pay that off is 10 to 20 years depending on the repayment plan.

Meanwhile a welder, plumber, or HVAC tech can complete a trade program or apprenticeship in 6 months to 2 years, often getting PAID during the apprenticeship instead of paying tuition.

Walk the timeline forward.

The 23-year-old welder has zero debt, several years of work experience, and is likely earning $55,000 to $80,000 depending on specialty and location.

Some HVAC techs and welders with experience clear six figures, especially with overtime or running their own shop.

The 23-year-old college grad, if they finished on time, is carrying $37,000 in debt, just entering an entry-level job market, and likely earning $45,000 to $55,000 in their first real role.

They haven't started building equity yet. They're still paying off the cost of getting started.

Run that forward 7 more years to age 30.

The trades worker has had 7 more years of income, likely no debt, and real time to invest, save, or buy property.

The college grad has spent a chunk of those 7 years paying down the original $37,000, which with interest often turns into paying back $45,000 to $50,000 total over the life of the loan.

I'm not anti-college. I have a degree myself. What I am is anti-pretending there's only one responsible path to financial stability when the data clearly shows otherwise.

The trades aren't the backup plan anymore. For a lot of 18-year-olds, they're the smarter math.

06/20/2026

We’re excited to be sharing information today at the Strawberry Festival about the Kearsarge Regional High School Tiny House on Wheels (THOW) Design & Build Project!

Be sure to stop by and meet KRHS students Lily and Anara, who joined us for the day. Both students were part of the design phase of this project and will continue their involvement when construction begins in September 2026 under the leadership of KRHS shop teacher Jesse Fenn.

This project is about so much more than building a tiny house. Students are gaining hands-on experience in design, construction, marketing, fundraising, community outreach, budgeting, and project management while working alongside local professionals and community members. It is an opportunity to explore potential careers, develop real-world skills, and see what can happen when a community comes together around a shared goal.

We are also thrilled to share that Ampli5E recently received a generous $25,000 angel donation toward our $68,000 fundraising goal to make this project possible. That donation helps move this vision from the drawing board to reality, but there is still important work ahead… and students will be at the center of making it happen.

The completed tiny house will be sold, with proceeds helping to fund future student-led projects, creating a sustainable cycle of learning, building, and giving back.

Ampli5E is a local and solutions-oriented 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on the 5 Es: Environment, Education, Emergency Relief, Empowerment, and Employment.

Our mission is to bring people together to create solutions that strengthen communities and provide opportunities for meaningful learning and engagement.

To learn more about this project and other current initiatives, visit ampli5e.org (check out current projects!)

We’re incredibly proud of these students, grateful for our community partners, and excited for what lies ahead.

06/19/2026

We are thrilled and amazed!

06/05/2026

Step inside this soft antique white Amish shed-style tiny home. The handcrafted interior details are absolutely stunning.
Full article 👇 💬

06/04/2026

This is GOOD stuff!

Worcester Technical High School has a list of 700 students waiting to get in.