Serving as the president of Ogden-Weber Technical College (OTECH) I have the opportunity to work with hundreds of local employers and community organizations.  When the very first Weber Remembers 9/11 Project was being planned, Jennie Taylor contacted me to see if there were any OTECH programs who could participate in fabricating the displays.  This was perfect for the college’s YouthBuild program.  These are students ages 16-24 who are completing their high school diploma and learning construction skills to serve their community.

This project aligned with their AmeriCorps volunteer service and turned out to be one of their most impactful community projects of the year.  Johnny Ferry, a MBTF board member, brought a Honeyville, Inc. trailer full of lumber and spent the day working with the students in off-loading and planning construction of the display frames.  Johnny was not just managing the construction project, he was sharing his skills in building their leadership abilities.  He was investing his time in the success of the students.  To quote Major Taylor, “Service is what leadership is all about.”

Throughout the project students worked side by side with community leaders in providing one of the most impactful events in Northern Utah.  When the event concluded, the lumber for the display frames were donated back to the YouthBuild program.  YouthBuild students took that lumber and used it in the construction of a tiny home.  This tiny home was then donated to The Other Side Village to help address chronic homelessness.

This is the heart of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation.  Bringing a diverse community together to build on common themes of training, honor, and engagement.  The foundation is more than just a series of events.  It is how we leverage those events into ongoing action to build individuals, families, and our community.

(Here are two articles about the 2021 Weber Remembers: The 9/11 Project showing the involvement of the OTECH YouthBuild students: KUTV, and the Standard-Examiner).