Omaha, Neb. – On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, a group of Supportworks volunteers left their laptops behind, grabbed their hardhats and headed to Belvedere Boulevard in North Omaha to get a little hands-on experience with the company’s PowerBrace® System, which is designed to permanently stabilize cracked and bowing basement walls and prevent further failure.
One quick note about the Supportworks hardhats: Not only do they protect employees from falling debris and other jobsite dangers, but they also serve as a surface onto which employees place the various achievement stickers they receive throughout their careers.
Unlike a typical Production ride-along, this outing had a double purpose that fed into the company’s “One Community” core value, which emphasizes being an advocate for our community and returning the blessings we’ve been given. This trip was to a 100-year-old house that had been gutted and was being rebuilt by Habitat for Humanity, the internationally known and respected nonprofit that helps families in need by building and improving houses they can eventually call “home.”
Led by Foundation Supportworks Production Coach John Butler, the team arrived at the job site around 9:00 am, greeted by John’s father, Mark, the Habitat for Humanity foreman for the project. Mark immediately put the volunteers to work, dividing them into groups to tackle various projects. One group ventured upstairs to tear out old windows and resize the openings for replacement glass — this involved some serious demolition instruments, including hammers, crowbars and a Sawzall.
Meanwhile, two floors below, another group focused on installing four Foundation Supportworks PowerBraces. As with the window demolition, this, too, involved using some serious tools, including a circular saw to cut zinc-plated steel beams to length and a combi hammer drill to secure the base plates to the concrete floor.
After lunch, the groups switched tasks so everyone could get some experience at each job station. Despite their lack of experience, the crew from Supportworks took to their new temporary vocations with great enthusiasm. Everyone said they were grateful for the experience — not only because it was fun and exciting but also because it felt good to make a positive difference in the community.
“It was really impactful seeing our products and team in action for a great cause like Habitat for Humanity,” said Supportworks Graphic Designer Liz Rollin, adding, “My favorite part was probably installing PowerBrace and seeing what all goes into that.”
For Motion Designer Chase Couture, the day offered an opportunity to wear a different hat — literally and figuratively. "I had a lot of fun taking a break from the keyboard and getting my hands dirty,” Chase said, “and it was a great opportunity to work with coworkers from different departments."
At the end of the day, even though the house had been stripped to the studs and joists, it was easy to envision its future as a cozy, safe and friendly home for a small family. Each member of the Supportworks crew took some personal satisfaction as they left for the day, a little dusty and sore, in the fact that many decades from now, this house will stand strong and provide its occupants shelter thanks in part to the work they did that day.
A big part of Supportworks’ mission to redefine the contracting industry is providing fulfilling jobs for its employees. Its “One Community” core value is a big part of this because giving back to the community creates a sense of accomplishment that goes beyond putting in eight hours on the clock. The day spent at the house on Belvedere Boulevard fit into that category, and everyone who participated was eager for the next outing.
About Supportworks
Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Supportworks was founded in 2008 by Greg Thrasher, the owner of a successful home-services company that was looking to vertically integrate and become a supplier focused on redefining an entire industry. In addition to developing industry-leading solutions, the company provides tools, software and business coaching to more than 150 contractors across North America. The company is also proud to be Certified Evergreen by the Tugboat Institute, an Idaho-based entrepreneurial think tank dedicated to supporting companies they believe have what it takes to grow and thrive for 100 years or more. Interested in joining Supportworks? View job opportunities at Supportworks at careers.supportworks.com.