Construction Junction of Old, New

The true treasure among the thousands of antique, vintage and modern building goods lining the aisles of Construction Junction in Point Breeze isn't made of wood or marble.

It is not the retro-kitsch housewares, nor even the sparkling crystal chandeliers and massive architectural pieces that loom overhead. It is not in the dusty "pirate chest" nor the collectible door knobs or the sentimental favorite, a reclaimed Civic Arena box glass door still bearing a frosted Penguins logo.

To sense the true treasure, you have to see what this nonprofit does for its people. This business takes what others just want to rid themselves of—and gives it new life and purpose. Sometimes those unwanted items—are people. 

For those efforts, Construction Junction was named a recipient of Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania 2011 Power of Work Award. The business was one of three out of 150 nominess to receive the award this year for its participation in Goodwill's Learn to Earn Delinquent Youth Internships.

Delinquent youths and others who are ordered into community service or work programs are taken in by "CJ" as it is nicknamed, and given a chance to learn to work at, what is often, their first legitimate job.

Sometimes that becomes a life-changing event, as it was for Anthony Michael, 19, of Pittsburgh. Michael mans the front desk, taking orders from manager Derek Stoltz, fielding questions from customers, and running this way and back ceaselessly. 

Again and again, Stoltz turns over issues and jobs to Michael, refers others to him, then troubleshoots for Michael, directing him to answers and allowing him to resolve issues on his own. 

"Yeah, sometimes people call him my son," he grins, as Michael takes off again. "But, he came here a year ago to do community service and he did well enough that he became part-time and now he works here full-time. If you could see what he went through to get here ... ."

Michael also believes the program and his job at CJ saved him: "If I weren't working here I would have been out with my friends again and gotten into more trouble."

He enjoys his job and likes working with his hands.

"It feels good to collect a legitimate paycheck," he says. He learned welding at the former Pittsburgh Connelly Vocational and Technical School and plans next year to enter the Steamfitter's Union apprentice program.

Construction Junction takes donations of unwanted new and used construction items, everything that can be reused or renewed, and sells them at a greatly-reduced cost to a wide variety of clientele that include artists, decorators, building rehabbers and people just looking for inexpensive furniture.

Free truck pickup of worthy items is provided. If there is a major job with a lot of materials to be harvested, a three-man deconstruction crew can be dispatched to remove usuable materials from a house or business. The service is provided free in most cases. Thousands of tons of materials which would have ended up in landfills have been saved for reuse.

By sharing or renting at low cost, CJ also serves as an "incubator" for smaller nonprofit organizations that are given space to grow their businesses. Currently, the building also houses The Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, a separate nonprofit store that resells donated arts and crafts supplies and conducts hands-on-creativity programs at events.

Free Ride is another nonprofit that teaches bicycle repair and collects, restores and gives away bicycles to people who volunteer at the charity. A dance company is housed on the upper floor.

CJ's outreach is evident in the cases of awards, certificates and thank-you notes displayed at the entrance. There are awards for green building, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and thanks from the Rainbow Soup Kitchen and Animal Rescue.

There are collection boxes for area charities, where visitors can to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, pet supplies for the Humane Society, coats for the East End Cooperative Ministry and used eyeglasses to the Lens Crafters Mission.

"We are hoping to expand our volunteer opportunities in the future. We are looking at possible ways to work with Goodwill on other jobs programs," says Stoltz.

Construction Junction is located at 214 North Lexington St. The store is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.