Supporting workforce development in Southern California.

Roofing Contractors Association of Southern California (RCASoCal) is proud to help establish and provide support for roofing installation training with two important CTE programs*. First at the high school level through SkillsUSA, then postsecondary level beginning with the Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education (BPACE) located in Baldwin Park, California.   

With a generous endowment from Baldwin Park-based Highland Commercial Roofing and HCI Equity Partners, RCASoCal was able to establish a workforce development fund dedicated to supporting these two important programs. 

Additionally, in May the RCASoCal added to this fund with the donations raised at its Clays for a Cause clay shooting event, and it will be the primary fundraising event supporting this new initiative going forward. 

Our goals for the SkillsUSA program are to introduce roofing in school districts in each of the counties we serve. Our support will consist of help with contractor mentorship, hands-on materials, tools and financial backing for the students to attend the state and national competitions. Our first contribution was at the April 2024 State SkillsUSA Competition in Ontario, California where we witnessed the first roofing students in the state (from Kern County) compete. RCASoCal contributed to the expenses for the winner get to Atlanta to represent California in the national competition.

With BPACE, our efforts so far have been to find qualified roofing professionals to teach roofing classes. They will offer a first in the state CTE roofing course offered at a nationally recognized school in Los Angeles County. We will be assisting with the tools, equipment and supplies needed for the classrooms plus helping with opportunities for special presentations. Once classes begin this October, this pilot program can be rolled out to educational centers throughout California.  Our financial support will extend to scholarships for roofing education at this school. 

Motivated by this sobering statistic, “For every five that retire from the roofing industry only two are replaced,” RCASoCal’s goal going forward is to use our workforce development resources to expose more students to the opportunities the roofing industry has to offer. 

To help with this initiative please contact RCASoCal to support workforce development with mentorship, donations of tools, equipment, supplies and financial support. 

We are so excited to help bring roofing industry education and respect to Southern California and joining the country with recognition for our great industry.  

About Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education (BPACE) earned national recognition from the Council for Opportunity in Education for its exceptional workforce partnerships, high job placement rates and commitment to educational excellence. 

About SkillsUSA 

SkillsUSA is the number one development organization for the trades. As the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students, the SkillsUSA Championship is one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world. SkillsUSA is organized around regional, state and national contests that encourage the best from participating industry leaders, students and instructors. 

About Roofing Contractors Association of Southern California (RCASoCal) 

Established in 1936 RCASoCal has been raising the level of professionalism of our local Roofing Industry by keeping our members well informed and by helping them comply with rules and regulations affecting their businesses, their employees and their customers; and in supporting the education, health and safety of our members. 

What is CTE 

CTE in high school: High school CTE programs often involve a sequence of courses that provide students with coherent and rigorous content, preparing them for postsecondary education or careers.  

CTE in postsecondary education: Post-high school CTE programs can lead to credentials like industry-recognized certifications, or customized training for specific employers.   

By Emma Peterson. 

Brought together on one project, people from across the industry made this reroof a success! 

Every year, the Southern California Roofing Contractors Association (RCASoCal) brings their local industry together onto a collaborative, community-based project! The first of these projects was in 1989, with the reroof of Sierra Hillview Acres Children’s Home in Chino Hills. From there, Project Reroof has helped community members, including the Orange County Teen Challenge and Agape House of Prayer, Christian Community Center. The only requirement of the project is that it focuses on charitable organizations in need and the materials and services for it are all donated by the companies providing. 

The most recent of these jobs, Project Reroof 2023, was just completed successfully by an amazing team of Roofing All Stars! This collaboration yet again showcased the power of the RCASoCal community through the reroofing of Faithway Fellowship - Colton Church of the Nazarene. Special thanks to Robert Price of Premier Roofing and Building Co. and Bill Jordan of Jordan Roof Company whose guidance, perseverance and dedication made this project the success it is. Further thanks are owed to the roofing companies that have donated time and resources, in no particular order: Hoyt Roofs, Jordan Roofing, Lang Roofing, South Coast Shingle, Chapman Coast Roofing, Premier Roofing and Building Co., Elite Roofing Supply and Beacon Building Products. 

The dedication of the RCASoCal roofing community is continually impressive and inspiring. The Roofing All Stars who worked on this project truly earned their title and their efforts to support their community are deeply admirable.  

View this year’s Project Reroof booklet! 

Image source: RCASoCal

By Roofing Contractor's Association of Southern California.

Take advantage of this opportunity to receive financial assistance and educational support.

The Jim Nienow Memorial Scholarship is open to applications! Since 1993, we have recognized the achievements of 288 deserving students. Over the last 17 years, we have awarded over $352,000 to the family of members and their employees. Overall, the goal of this scholarship is "to develop qualified professionals through education." Applicants must be entering into secondary education programs at accredated colleges or univsersities within the the next academic year.

This year, we will award scholarships of up to $10,000 to immediate family members of our members as well as member employees. That money is split into multiple awards, typiucally ranging from $500 to $2,500 per scholar. Half of those funds will be paid to the institution while the other half is intended to be used for tuition and fees, book purchases, room and board and other expenses. Take advantage of this opportunity to receive financial assistance and educational support.

Last year, we had the privilege of supporting 19 exceptional individuals, each of whom is embarking on a unique path toward their future. Thank you to our members and supporters for your support of our scholarship program. Over the past 30 years, our scholarship program has supported the educational  pursuits of our member families and employees with more than $350,000 awarded to date. Thank you for being part of the impact we are making together.

How is this scholarship is made possible? Sponsorships! Thank you to our annual sponsors, if you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please check out our website! Interested in professional growth but not a student? Join RCASoCal! This association fosters better working relationships and a more cohesive working environment between roofing contractors, suppliers and consultants.

Download the 2024 Jim Nienow Scholarship application today!

By Emma Peterson. 

Each year, the RCASoCal assembles a crew of Roofing All Stars to give back to their community by making sure they have a safe roof over their heads. 

The Roofing Contractors Association of Southern California (RCASoCal) hosts Project Reroof annually as a way to give back to their community using their roofing skills. Each year, they choose an organization to receive a new roof and a new crew of Roofing All Stars is assembled. This crew is made up of manufacturers, suppliers and contractors who are donating materials, services and labor to make Project Reroof happen! As RCASoCal looks forward to its 2023 project for Faithway Fellowship - Colton Church of the Nazarene led by Robert Price and Bill Jordan, let’s look back at the history of Project Reroof. 

2018 – First Southern Baptist Church 

In 2018, Project Reroof focused on the First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, California. This church serves many unhoused people in their community. Part of how they serve is through offering resources and services to help those in their community trying to get back on their feet. This includes providing things such as shelter, food, clothing and warm showers.  

RCASoCal believes in giving back to their communities using their skill in roofing! This Project Reroof was led by Dave Chapman and James Simmons of Chapman Coast Roof and Two Brothers Construction respectively. Their ability to give back was also made possible through the support of the following volunteer companies and people: Chapman Coast Roof, Quality Environmental, CertainTeed, Biltwell Roofing, APOC, Inland Pacific Roofing, Lang Roofing, Howard Roofing, Skyco Skylights, South Coast Shingle, Hoyt Roofs, Martin Huipe, Gregorio Alvarez, Roben Hurtado Valle, Jose Garcia and Alejandro Primera. 

The Pastors of First Southern Baptist Church left the following message of thanks for everyone’s support:  

“I, William Ruffin, and Pastor Wiley S. Drake, speak in unison for The First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, California, and our entire congregation and Homeless Ministry, when we send you (Chapman Coast Roof, Two Brothers Construction, Quality Environmental, Acetek Roofing, Lang Roofing, Howard Roofing and Hoyt Roofing) our deepest thank you and God bless. Thank you all for your donations and hard labor in repairing our roof at no cost to us. Again, thank you all for the God-given gift. May God bless all that you touch and cherish.” 

2020 – Orange County Teen Challenge 

Project Reroof chose to donate a roof to the Orange County Teen Challenge (OCTC) in 2020. OCTC is an organization that has served their community for over 55 years by providing resources and guidance for teenagers. This includes, but is not limited to, drug education/prevention and gang intervention. 

Project manager Bill Jordan of Jordan Roof Company organized the schedules, permits and planning for this whole project. They could not have done it without the donated labor and materials from the following companies: Jordan Roof Company, Howard Roofing, Premier Roofing and Waterproofing, Tecta America, Chapman Coast Roofing, Award Metals, Costa Roofing, Lomanco, Beacon Roofing Supply, Tom T Sales Group, Roofmaster, Lang Roofing, Biltwell Roofing and Barkley Sheet Metal.  

Shane Parr, the coordinator of operations at the time, sent the following message about the impact this gift has:  

“On behalf of Southern California Teen Challenge's Orange County Center located in Santa Ana, I want to extend our greatest appreciation for being this year's Project Reroof. We have been tremendously blessed by the generosity of your members. The roofers that worked onsite did a fantastic job and worked safely on our complicated roof. This building was built in the 30's and has a number of steep pitches. 

The generosity that was shown to our ministry came at exactly the right time. Due to COVID 19 we have been forced to cancel or postpone many of our largest fundraisers. The funds that would have had to go towards the roof would have severely impacted the work we do. As a non-profit faith based adult recovery ministry that is free to its participants because of charitable contributions every dollar counts. 

We sincerely thank all those that were involved, from the planning stages, the materials and the manpower. Each part was necessary to make this project a success. A special thanks goes to Bill Jordan for his hands on roll and making sure your guys were safe.” 

2021 – South Hills Community Church 

In 2021, Project Reroof helped the South Hills Community Church in Corona, California. The church has struggled financially during and in the aftermath of the pandemic. Even as they dealt with this challenge, they made sure to prioritize their community. Time and time again, the church chose to send resources out into the community rather than investing them in repairs for their aging building. RCASoCal was proud to have been able to step in and give them some support in return!  

Under the project leadership of Chapman Coast Roof, Project Reroof made a miracle come true for the church. The following companies sponsored this project by contributing resources and labor: APOC, Chapman Coast Roof, Hoyt Roof, Inland Pacific Roofing, Jordan Roof, Lang Roofing, Premier Roofing Service, South Coast Shingle and Tropical Roofing Products. 

Adam J. Smith, a pastor at the South Hills Community Church, wrote the following letter thanking Project Reroof for the gift: 

“We here at South Hills have humbly served our community for over twenty-three years. Our priority is helping people live more wholistically healthy lives. But, like a lot of non-profits that rely on the big-hearted generosity of donors who believe in the work they do, we were hit hard financially during the recent Covid-19 crisis. 

From week on of the Coronavirus lockdowns--over a year ago--giving began to dwindle, forcing us to make difficult decisions as to where to direct the remaining resources we still had access to. Despite an ageing twenty-year-old facility, greatly in need of repair, we chose to direct every dollar we could to serve the practical needs of our community. We hosted blood drives, gave away hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and supplies, served the homeless, provided free counseling for those struggling with mental health, donated technology to local educators, and ran errands for the elderly. We threw ourselves into whatever our surrounding area needed. 

With our state beginning to open up once again, we are excited to welcome folks back to our facility in hopes of helping people pick up the pieces of their stories after such an emotionally chaotic season. But as we aim our efforts in this direction, we're now faced (among many other challenges) with the stark reality of an ever-deteriorating roof that must be replaced, without the resources needed to accomplish it. Each of the recent rainstorms has resulted in water streaming in through our porous roof and doing even more pricy damage to our property. 

We are in need of help. And we are grateful for your willingness to contemplate our story and consider the idea of giving us the help we need to continue helping our community put itself back together. Thank you.” 

Original article and photo sources: Southern California Roofing Contractors Association

By Dani Sheehan. 

Watch the video RCASoCal created to thank their generous sponsors at their annual Jim Nienow Golf Tournament. 

The Southern California Roofing Contractors Association (RCASoCal) recently held its 33rd annual Jim Nienow Golf Tournament to benefit their memorial scholarship fund. It is because of the incredible support of their members and the roofing community that they have recognized the achievements of 254 students since beginning the scholarship fund in 1993. In 2019, they awarded the most scholarships in the history of the association and raised $38,500 to provide to 19 recipients. As a thank you for the continued support, they put together a short slide show to spotlight some of the scholarship recipients. Make sure to check it out! 

In their appreciation video, Zack Pinto, affiliated with RCASoCal through Lana Pinto at Hoyt Roofs, was able to receive a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. He helped design the ADA accessibility at SoFi Stadium and is currently working in the healthcare industry. 

This year’s tournament title sponsor was CertainTeed and the lunch sponsor was Roof Line Supply and Delivery. Through the generosity of sponsors like these each year they’ve been able to award $332,500 of scholarship funding to students over the last 16 years. Some top sponsors this year included Beacon Building Products, Tecta America Southern California, RoofMaster Products Company, among others.  

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