HAZARD, Ky. — While many young adults spend summer relaxing, three Eastern Kentucky men dedicated the past eight weeks to learning a trade, serving their neighbors, and helping rebuild communities still recovering from devastating floods.

The Housing Development Alliance, Inc. (HDA) recently celebrated the accomplishments of Austin Stacy, Wyatt Minks, and Parker Mayhew, graduates of the nonprofit’s Sam Smith Memorial Summer Internship program.

Named in honor of the late Sam Smith — a former HDA intern who went on to become a full-time carpenter — the internship provides paid, hands-on training in carpentry and home construction for young adults aged 18 to 21.

“Watching these young men grow from day one has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Shannon Gabbard, HDA’s Director of Hope Building and coordinator of the internship. “They’ve learned everything from framing exterior walls to installing energy-efficient windows, and they’ve done so with pride, professionalism and a deep commitment to their community.”

Hands-On Learning and Real Impact

Throughout June and July, the interns worked alongside HDA’s professional carpenters on new home construction and critical repairs for low-income families, including residents affected by the 2022 and 2025 floods.

• Stacy and Minks were assigned to framing crews at Chestnut Ridge, a high-ground community built in response to repeated flood damage. Together, they helped complete two new homes during the summer.
• Mayhew focused on five major repair projects, tackling roof replacements, structural reinforcements, and the construction of accessibility ramps for residents in need.

All three participants logged over 300 hours of training, learning floor plan reading, materials handling, tool safety, framing, and basic carpentry techniques.

Shaping Futures in Construction

For Minks, the program reinforced his career goals.
“I’ve learned so much – shingling, setting trusses, kitchen and bathroom blocking, how to use a nail gun – and that I really love construction,” Minks said. “I’ve had a lot of fun with these guys. Hopefully, going forward, I’ll continue to do this kind of work.”

Stacy appreciated the transition from classroom learning to job-site application.
“These carpenters know so much, and they’ve been willing to teach me all that they know,” he said. “I finished up construction technology courses at the community college, and I think it was a good thing to follow that up with this internship. The job site training really helps supplement the coursework.”

Mayhew entered with little hands-on experience but left with confidence.
“These guys have helped me out and taught me a lot. I didn’t know anything coming into the internship,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in construction, so this internship gave me the opportunity to get my foot in the door a little bit and try to get started. It’s an opportunity to help people with your hands and not rely on computers and things like that.”

A Win for Youth and Community

“From day one, all three of these young men approached each task with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to learn,” said Josh Feltner, HDA’s Director of Construction. “They each developed a commitment to quality carpentry work and became dependable crew members.”

The program is funded in part by the Berea College Appalachian Fund and will return next summer, with HDA continuing to partner with schools and workforce development programs to connect more young adults with the construction trade.

About the Housing Development Alliance

The Housing Development Alliance has been building and repairing homes in Eastern Kentucky for nearly three decades, addressing the region’s housing shortage and helping low-income families achieve stability. Programs like the Sam Smith Memorial Internship serve a dual mission — training the next generation of skilled tradespeople while providing affordable housing to those who need it most.

Since its creation, HDA’s internship program has helped launch several young people into construction careers, some of whom have joined the organization full-time.

With demand for skilled labor growing nationwide, HDA sees this initiative as an investment in both community resilience and long-term workforce development.

Originally reported by Hazard Herald.