History

Join us as we deliver solutions to remove barriers to leaving poverty behind and open doors for working families through a holistic approach that includes affordable housing options, community redevelopment and generational social service support. 

Expanding opportunities through career pathways and training for middle-skill jobs is critical to our communities. Closing the skills gap and creating workforce-development programs that work for everyone is our main goal. This is the “land of opportunity.” That is the foundation of our country. Our country has not been able to deliver on that promise. With our ability to develop the talent it needs to create wealth and to adapt to ever-changing economic realities, we can and should do better. 

Community ReBuild was founded in March 2020 by our Founder/CEO, Janie Bordner. Community ReBuild, is the third poverty alleviation/workforce project for Janie. From 2013-2020, Janie served as Executive Director for Dress for Success Dallas and then CEO of the Community Council of Greater Dallas. Janie is an executive with a successful track record spanning over 20 years of leading diverse program and management teams and implementing innovative business development programs. Most recently she created the #5000jobs2020 advocacy campaign supported by the City of Dallas, Dallas County and the Governor’s office. This campaign was designed to provide middle skill job training for 5000 workers leading to living wage jobs. 

During the height of Covid, Community ReBuild formed a collaboration with AvanceNet Labs to create an online learning management system that has grown to include 206 career pathways and over 5000 nationally recognized certifications. 

In 2023, Community ReBuild began two Community Initiatives: Wilmer Works in Wilmer, Texas and ReImagine Galveston in Galveston, Texas. Both of these initiatives are 

City of Wilmer Opportunity (Wilmer Works): The City of Wilmer has the highest percentage of people living in poverty in Dallas County at 51% which is 61.6% greater than the poverty level of 14.7% across the entire state of Texas. Renting rate in this city  among poor and not poor residents: Residents below poverty level: 44.9% Residents above poverty level: 30.8% 

Union Pacific's Dallas Intermodal Terminal is located partly in the city of Wilmer and partly in the city of Hutchins. The shipping facility, built by AUI Contractors, Prime Rail Interests and Halff Associates, was a 70 million U.S. dollar project. After Union Pacific (UP) chose Wilmer for its global intermodal facility, the city attracted Fortune 500 companies like Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Whirlpool, Ace Hardware and Medline. Despite these job opportunities. Very few jobs are being filled by residents of the City of Wilmer. This is due to a lack of job training and support services. Also, the average commute for employees at these companies is over an hour. There is no public transportation available. There are no available workforce or affordable housing units in the city of Wilmer. There is one apartment complex in the city that currently has a wait list of more than 600 applicants. 

City of Galveston (ReImagine Galveston): Why Galveston?

The People

• The income per capita in Galveston is 8% lower than the national average

• The median household income in Galveston is 24% lower than the national average.

• Male median earnings are 41% higher than female median earnings

• The unemployment rate in Galveston is 21% higher than the national average.

• The poverty level in Galveston is 51% higher than the national average.

The Unique Opportunity

• The top employment opportunities in the area are: Medical, Marine, Energy/Chemical and Manufacturing.

• We have expertise in all of these industries, and we can expand trainings, certifications and apprenticeships to include IT, Hospitality and trades.

• Unique and unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with the cruise industry and port.

The History and Majesty of the Area

• The City of Galveston was chartered in 1839. The role of Galveston as the principal port and gateway to the Southwest during the 19th Century has placed the entire city in a unique position in relation to the history of Texas. 

• The city furnished shipping, goods, money, and transportation necessary to settle the state, nurture its trade, and help accomplish its independence.

• Galveston is known for many things – from its beaches to its historic architecture – but being home to the deadliest storm in U.S. history is one of its less kind claims to fame

• The Great Storm, as it is now called in history, struck Galveston on Sept. 8, 1900, claiming the lives of more than 10,000 and taking its place in infamy. Galveston responded to make itself one of the world's most resilient cities. This is still evident today.

The Ecosystem

• Participating Employers

• Education & Training Partners

• Transportation Solutions

• Government Agencies

• Nonprofit Organizations

• Faith-Based Organizations

• Workforce Collaboratives

“I know from personal experience what it’s like to find yourself in a major medical crisis, or a prolonged financial crisis due to loss of income, and then you have to essentially start your life over again,” said Ms. Bordner. “I’m where I am today because of programs like the ones we provide. I am immensely proud to be leading an organization where we can truly make a difference for a lifetime.”

The ReBuild Plan is different.  -We are taking an innovative approach to overcome barriers to economic mobility by providing:

· Expanded Education & Training Opportunities

· Skill Development in High Demand Career Pathways

· Removing Barriers Such as Transportation and Childcare

· Intensive Case Management Support 

· Affordable Housing Solutions

· Business ownership opportunities

· End of food deserts

· Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Poverty

We envision our region as a place where opportunity exists for our citizens to learn, work, live and thrive in vibrant, welcoming communities. We seek your support and leadership in answering an important call to action to enhance the economic vitality of our community.