Builders Exchange of Michigan Donates More Than $24,000 to Guiding Light's Back to Work Program

Builders Exchange of Michigan raised $24,943 with the help of construction industry and community members at the 64th Annual Golf Outing to benefit Guiding Light’s Back to Work program.

Builders Exchange presented Guiding Light with the check on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The Guiding Light Board of Directors, staff and several men in the Back to Work program participated in the event. The program is designed to support men who face significant barriers to finding and keeping full-time work, including debt, lack of housing, lack of transportation and other challenges.

This is the fifth consecutive year proceeds from the annual event have been donated to support Guiding Light’s Back to Work program, which provides a short-term stay for men who are experiencing homelessness and seeking full-time employment. Men in the program are able to work and save money while they pay down debt and rebuild credit histories before they look for more permanent housing.

“Guiding Light is so grateful for the continued support of Builders Exchange through this event,” said Stuart P. Ray, Guiding Light executive director. “Such generosity allows us to continue our mission of partnering with individuals to fulfill their God-given potential through rescue, recovery and re-engagement in the community.

“Builders Exchange’s support of the Back to Work program ensures we can continue helping men regain financial independence and re-engage in society through meaningful work.”

In 2019, Builders Exchange raised $15,500 through its golf outing, an amount that has increased each year since the not-for-profit began supporting the Back to Work program. Builders Exchange continued its positive trend this summer by recruiting more teams to participate and securing more sponsors than previous years, increasing total proceeds raised by 60%. Over the past five years, Builders Exchange of Michigan has raised a total of $71,943 for Guiding Light.

“We are thrilled to share and support the good work that Guiding Light does, especially during these challenging times,” said Elizabeth Bovard Strong, executive vice president of Builders Exchange of Michigan and member of the Guiding Light Board of Directors. “We knew there would be a spirit of generosity in our construction community and across the state of Michigan but were incredibly impressed by how much the sponsors and attendees contributed this year to support the organization.”

To learn more ways to support Guiding Light’s programs, visit guidinglightworks.org or contact Development Director Starla McDermott at [email protected] to make a donation.