Sisters of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562, in conjunction with Missouri Women in the Trades (MOWIT), gave back to their community by donating their time and skills during phase three of a four-phase renovation at Baker House.
Baker House is one of three residential transitional housing options available to Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry participants.
Keyway Center’s mission is to advocate for and assist women in the criminal justice system to support their successful transition to family and community. Keyway believes that access to safe, secure and affordable housing is key to a successful transition from jail or prison.
They provide transitional housing for up to 44 participants through two apartment-style facilities: Baker House for 12 individuals and Schirmer House for 32.
Improvements to Baker House include updated plumbing and electric, drywall repair and demolition, updated cabinetry and new paint and flooring. Keyway, in partnership with MOWIT, kicked off Baker Build: Phase Three renovations with a successful plumbing workday thanks to the skilled tradeswomen of Local 562.
Keyway aims to complete its four-year endeavor by summer of 2025. Local 562 tradeswomen, who have been involved in Baker Build since phase one, are providing their expert plumbing skills to create a safe living environment for the women at Baker House.
“We replaced old cast iron stacks and are doing a total bathroom gut job,” said Amanda Dace, a 24-year member of Local 562. “The weekend before we came, they demoed the walls so we could get to our pipes, then we went in there and gutted it.”
Dace and her Sisters also replaced the waterline and shower valves and will replace a water heater. They will go back in four weeks to set up the vanities and toilets and test everything.
Not only is Local 562 providing women transitioning out of prison with better living conditions, but they are demonstrating that women can pursue and have successful careers in the construction and building trades as well.
Dace said that some years, the women who will be living in Baker House have participated in the repairs and went on to join a trade.
“These women are really grateful,” Dace said. “In prior years, they have barbecued for us as a thank you.”
Local 562 tradeswomen learn on the job
Volunteering for Baker Build has been a great experience for Local 562 tradewomen. They are advancing Keyway’s mission while building connections and receiving hands-on learning.
Apprentices, journeymen, an instructor and a Sister who recently started the Local 562 Champions Program worked on the project.
Thank you to the 10 women involved in phase three: Amanda Dace, Keri Emmerich, Megan Evergreen, Wendi Fortel, Stephanie McClure, Maddy McVey, Jessica Purcell, Ariel Sizemore, Jayden Tricamo and Lauren Willerton.
Dace described the positive environment and noted that this renovation gives a lot of them an opportunity to learn new skills.
“It’s super good for all of us,” Dace said. “Everybody’s talking, joking and having a good time. Teaching and learning are big benefits for all of us. There are a couple of women who haven’t done any service work. Some of them, during their whole careers, will not see a cast iron stack replaced in a home, and some have never seen a water heater be replaced. A lot of us learn by seeing.”
Over several weekends, Local 562 tradeswomen have contributed their time and plumbing expertise and will continue to do so until the job is complete.
Local 562 Business Manager John O’Mara explained that Local 562 members take the initiative to do charitable work without being asked and regularly participate in various charity events, often organizing them themselves.
“It’s pretty cool to see, once you get people involved in different organizations, how far they go with it and how much good they’re doing in their spare time,” O’Mara said.
Local 562 is involved with several charities and is committed to showing the public the positive impact its membership has on the community.
