The Challenge Program (TCP), a nonprofit organization in Delaware that supports workforce development for young adults not currently in school or employment, has opened its new CP Furniture manufacturing facility. The grand opening event included a ceremonial “board cutting” and was attended by elected officials including Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester and Chris Coons, Representative Sarah McBride, County Executive Henry, Mayor Carney, and others.
The new timber frame building was largely constructed by TCP trainees and staff. It is expected to triple the organization’s furniture production capacity and provide more hands-on training opportunities for youth facing barriers to employment. TCP was founded in 1995 and offers paid training in construction and woodworking, as well as certifications, case management, and job placement services for out-of-school youth aged 18 to 24. CP Furniture operates as an employment social enterprise under TCP, giving graduates additional paid experience making handcrafted pieces for both commercial and residential clients. Profits from CP Furniture support the broader mission of TCP.
Andrew McKnight, Founder and Executive Director of The Challenge Program, said: “The completion of this facility has been long-awaited, and we’re thrilled. While CPF creates beautiful furniture, our true impact is the success of our graduates. This new workshop, nearly four times larger, showcases our trainees' capabilities. We teach construction and life skills, pay wages, and provide case management to overcome employment barriers, aiming to give trainees the direction, training, and confidence to become self-sufficient.”
A capital campaign launched in 2018 raised $2.4 million toward building the 14,000 square foot studio. However, pandemic-related cost increases pushed total costs up to $4.2 million before completion. Community funders helped cover the additional expenses.
Barclays has supported TCP since 2007 through financial backing and partnership programs aimed at developing job skills among local youth. Denny Nealon, CEO of Barclays US Consumer Bank stated: “Today marks a major milestone – years in the making – and a powerful testament to what can be achieved through community, purpose, and long-term partnership. We are honored to have been on this journey with The Challenge Program, an organization that has made a life-changing impact on Wilmington’s most vulnerable youth and is one of our key LifeSkills partners, helping these young adults build the skills and confidence to get into work.”
LaMar Harding was among TCP’s first graduates; he later became an instructor at TCP after working in home remodeling and pipeline industries. Reflecting on his experience with TCP he said: “Besides the job training, the work you get paid for,the schooling… it’s just the people,the environment… To make it to 40 [years old]… there were times that I never thought I would.It’s like,’we see you; we see what you have,we see what you’ve been through,we see what you’ve accomplished…we see you.And it feels good.” Harding now works with trainees renovating affordable housing properties.
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester commented: “Today,I proudly joined my federal delegation partnersand local leaders to celebratethe opening ofthe Challenge Program’s Gibbs Center.The Challenge Program does amazing work providing opportunitiesto Delaware youth who have great potentialand just needa little extra supportto get trainedin constructionand woodworking trades.Several years ago,I purchasedthe first chair ever madeby CP Furniturea symbolofour shared commitmenttoworkforce developmentandeducation.I look forwardto continuingour partnershipinthe yearstocome.”
Since its founding,TCP hasserved over500 young adults.In the past decade,it hashelped181traineese arn285certifications ,37GEDs,and3highschool diplomas.Plus,it placed145alumni injobs,and provided over120 ,000 hoursofpaidtraining.CP Furniture’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program,begun in2023 ,has already led67%ofitsgraduates togainfull-time skilledtrades jobs.More details about their programs can be found at https://cpfurniture.org/ and https://www.challengeprogram.org/.
Congresswoman Sarah McBride added:“The grand openingofCPFurnitureisamomentousoccasionthatsignifiesourdedicationtocommunitygrowthandwell-being.The newfacility isn’tjustabuilding;it’ sabeaconforthosewho’vebeenoverlooked,a placewherepotentialisnurturedanddignityisrestored.”
Looking ahead,TCP plansto introduceadditionaltrainingprogramsinconstructiontechnologyandlogmilling.SenatorChrisCoonsremarked,“TheChallengeProgramdoesn’tjustbuildhomesandfurniture–itbuildslivesandcommunities.Overthelast15years,it’sbeenanhonortohelpitgrowandwatchittransformsomanylives.ThisnewmanufacturingfacilitywillgrowDelaware’sworkforceandprovidehands-onjobtrainingtomoreyoungpeoplewhowanttomakeachangebutjustneedhelpgettingthere.”