Author: Shelly James

02 Jul

Catalyst Mortgage Playhouse 2018: Special Edition

by Shelly James in The Catalyst Report

One lucky family will win this 2018 Catalyst Playhouse built by the Luther Burbank Building Trades Academy.

In this video you meet some of the talented students involved in the trade skill program and their teacher Andy Woodward as they constructed the house. You’ll also hear from Brandon Haefele, CEO/President, Catalyst Mortgae, Mr. Woodward, Ray Byers Jr, Operations Manager and Jeff Fierstein, General Manager, That’s Byers, about the importance of trades skill education and the value of community partnerships.

Enter to win today at https://catalystmortgage.com/playhouse.

14 Jun

Building a Playhouse and a Future

by Shelly James in News

Some kids dream to have a playhouse where they are free to play and let their imaginations soar. Some kids grow up and aspire to build their own house. Catalyst Mortgage partnered with Luther Burbank High School, Building Trades Academy, to bring both ambitions together for the 2018 Catalyst Playhouse Giveaway.

Brandon Haefele, CEO/President, Catalyst Mortgage, sponsored the Building Trades Academy, led by Building Trades Instructor, Andrew Woodward, to build a 6’ x 8’ playhouse to be given away to one lucky family in December 2018. From early March to mid-June, Luther Burbank students dedicated their elective class time to the design and construction of the Catalyst playhouse. A few Senior students took lead on the design of the house. Once the design was approved by Mr. Woodrow, the students took charge of the construction of the playhouse. From the peaked roof, to the dutch front door, to the 6’ tall side “guest adult” entrance on the side, each wood beam and nail was led by the students. This education partnership with Catalyst Mortgage provided additional financial resources to the Building Trades Academy for all expenses for construction of the playhouse as well as additional provisions for projects that are created at the Academy.

Roofing and gutter installation requires specialized training and experience that are outside the curriculum offered in the class. To assist with those aspects of the project, Catalyst Mortgage invited home improvement experts, Byers LeafGuard, Roofing, and Solar, to install roofing and gutters. Jeff Fierstein, General Manager, Byers, led the instructional session on the roofing and gutters and Ray Byers, Jr., Operations Manager, Byers, answered questions from the students about the skills and experience preferred by employers in the construction industry.

Enter to win at the California State Fair at Cal Expo, Sacramento in July. Entries are also available online at catalystmortgage.com/playhouse and at Catalyst Mortgage office at 1375 Exposition Boulevard, Suite 320 Sacramento, CA 95815. The last day to enter the drawing to win the playhouse is December 7, 2018. Content rules and additional information can be found here: catalystmortgage.com/playhouse.