Constructing Opportunity: Why the SERJobs Luncheon Was Personal for Me
Some events stay with you long after the tables are cleared and everyone has gone home. The 2026 SERJobs Constructing Opportunity Luncheon was one of those events for me.
I had the honor of serving on the Host Committee for this year’s luncheon, held recently at Citadel Houston. It was a wonderful afternoon celebrating workforce development, skilled trades, and the people and organizations helping Houston residents build better futures.
But for me, it was also deeply personal.
My Father’s Legacy in Construction
I’ve shared this before. My dad spent his career in construction. It’s the only kind of work I remember him doing.
He eventually built his own business, running concrete crews in several locations. I remember the hard work, the long hours, and the pride he took in what he did. But what stands out most in my memories isn’t the concrete or the construction projects. It’s the people.
My dad believed in giving people a chance. He hired men who had little or no experience, trained them, and helped them learn a trade. Some went on to build careers and provide for their families because someone had been willing to give them that first opportunity.
I remember families coming up to us to thank my dad for what he had done for them.
As a child, I didn’t fully understand the impact of those moments. I just knew that these people were grateful to him.
Looking back, I understand so much more. He wasn’t just running a construction business. He was helping people change the course of their lives.
That’s why the mission of SERJobs means so much to me.
More Than Jobs. Opportunities That Change Lives.
SERJobs helps individuals build careers through training, coaching, and connections with employers in construction and skilled trades.
The organization works to close the gap between people who need opportunities and employers who need skilled workers. Its programs help individuals develop the skills and confidence they need to enter the workforce, grow professionally, and achieve greater financial stability.
And when someone builds a sustainable career, the impact goes far beyond that one person. Their children benefit. Their families benefit. Our community benefits.
It’s something I saw firsthand through my dad’s work, and it’s something SERJobs continues to make possible for Houston families today.
An Afternoon Celebrating Houston’s Workforce
The 2026 Constructing Opportunity Luncheon brought together community leaders, employers, nonprofit partners, and supporters who believe in the power of workforce development.
The afternoon included recognition of organizations making a difference, stories from SERJobs alumni, and a keynote presentation by Art Medina.
One of the highlights of the program was the recognition of this year’s honorees:
- MAREK, Champion of the Year
- Lowe’s Foundation, Partner of the Year
- United Way of Greater Houston, Non-Profit Partner of the Year
These organizations represent the partnerships that make workforce development possible. Training programs need employers willing to hire, organizations willing to invest, and community partners committed to helping people succeed.
The luncheon also featured remarks from honorary co-chairs State Representative Christina Morales and State Senator Carol Alvarado, along with closing remarks from SERJobs CEO Liliana Rambo.
It was a successful event that brought together people who share a commitment to Houston’s workforce and the families who depend on it.
The Stories Behind the Mission
For me, one of the most meaningful parts of the program was the focus on SERJobs alumni. The luncheon featured success stories from ShaQuita Kibble, Matthew Flores, Terry McWilliams, and Michael Hadnot, representing different SERJobs programs.
These are the people behind the mission.
It’s easy to talk about workforce development in terms of programs, partnerships, and economic impact. Those things matter, of course. But at the end of the day, we’re talking about real people. People who need someone to believe in them. People who need access to training, a connection to an employer, or simply an opportunity to show what they can do.
I kept thinking about my dad. How many of the men he trained might never have found their way into construction if he hadn’t given them a chance? How many families benefited from those opportunities? I’ll never know the full answer.
But I know the impact was real because I remember the people who came back to tell us.
Proud to Have Been Part of It
Serving on the Host Committee for the 2026 Constructing Opportunity Luncheon was an honor, and I’m grateful to SERJobs for the opportunity to support its mission.
I’m also grateful to the sponsors, employers, community partners, and everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.
Houston continues to grow, and our region needs skilled workers to build the homes, businesses, roads, and infrastructure that support that growth. Just as important, we need pathways for people who want to be part of that future but may not know where to begin.
Organizations like SERJobs help create those pathways.
I wish my dad were here so I could tell him about this event and the work SERJobs is doing. I think he would have appreciated the mission. He understood the value of hard work, but he also understood that people sometimes need someone to open a door for them.
That’s what this luncheon reminded me of.
Sometimes, the greatest thing we can build isn’t a building. It’s an opportunity for someone to create a better life.
And that is something worth celebrating. ❤️
Learn more about SERJobs and its workforce development programs at:
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Photo Collage: A few photos from the 2026 SERJobs Constructing Opportunity Luncheon. Visit our social media channels for more photos from the event. Photos by Sandra Fernandez/Hispanic Houston.