Welcome
to
Dēz Kids 🙌🏾
At Dēz Kids (pronounced “These Kids”) Construction Education Program, we train youth ages 14–21 through hands-on construction projects, real certifications, and job-site experience that prepares them for careers in the trades. Powered by Des In The Cut Construction Company, our mission is to equip the next generation of builders with the tools, mindset, and purpose to succeed- while rebuilding the very communities they call home.
From concrete pours to framing walls, our students work on real homes, learning in real time. Whether you’re a young person ready to learn, a partner looking to collaborate, or a supporter seeking to sow into lasting change, Dēz Kids is where purpose, skill, and opportunity come together- and lives are built from the inside out.
Dēz Kids ❤️ Dewalt
We’re thrilled to announce that Dēz Kids Construction Education Program has been selected as a 2024 DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant recipient!
This recognition helps us continue our mission of providing hands-on construction training to youth, closing the trade skills gap, and building stronger communities.
Thank you to @DEWALT and @StanleyBlack&Decker for supporting our work to skill and reskill future tradespeople.
Learn more about this opportunity:
Grow The Trades Scholarship Application
#GrowTheTrades #DEWALT #GrantRecipient #TradesEducation #PhillyNonprofits #WorkforceDevelopment #DezKids #PraiseGod
History
Dēz Kids Construction Education Program was created to give young people in Philadelphia the skills, experience, and confidence to shape their own futures. Built on a passion for education and community empowerment, the program provides hands-on construction training that leads to real opportunities.
What began as a vision to equip students with practical trade skills has grown into a transformative program, where youth across the city earn industry-recognized certifications, gain real-world experience, and take part in rebuilding their own communities. More than just workforce training, Dēz Kids is a chance for students to discover their potential, develop leadership, and create pathways to success in the skilled trades.
Vision | Mission | Status
The Vision
Our vision is to build stronger futures- one project, one student, and one community at a time. We aspire to transform the lives of young people through practical, hands-on education in the construction trades, while playing an active role in revitalizing urban neighborhoods in North Philadelphia.
By combining skills training with community service, we strive to create positive change that offers youth meaningful career paths and inspires hope. Through strategic partnerships and targeted programs, we aim to create affordable housing, community gardens, and educational spaces that serve as a foundation for a brighter future.
The Mission
Dēz Kids Construction Education Program empowers youth ages 14-21 through comprehensive, hands-on training in the construction trades. We provide valuable certifications, including OSHA 10, OSHA 30 for construction safety, and NFPA 70E electrical safety, equipping students with industry-standard skills.
Our program emphasizes hard work, integrity, and community service, preparing students for successful careers while actively contributing to urban housing rehabilitation and gun violence prevention.
501(c)(3) Status
We are proud to be a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You can view our official 501(c)(3) designation letter from the IRS here to learn more about our commitment to transparency and our tax-exempt status.
Who are Dēz Kids?
Dēz Kids Construction Education Program serves youth ages 14-21 in North Philadelphia and surrounding communities, providing hands-on construction training, industry certifications, and real-world experience at a critical time in their development. Many of the students we work with face limited career opportunities, exposure to gun violence, and the effects of generational poverty.
Through partnerships with local schools like Murrell Dobbins CTE High School, students earn OSHA 10/30 and NFPA 70E certifications, renovate homes, and revitalize their communities- turning skills into opportunity. More than a training program, Dēz Kids is a lifeline for young people seeking direction, equipping them to transform their lives, rebuild their neighborhoods, and create lasting change.
We train. We build. We transform.
Short-Term Goals
Secure Construction Vehicles
Acquire a pickup truck and a van to transport materials, tools, and students, improving mobility for both school-year and summer programs.
Establish a Headquarters
Identify and renovate a building in Philadelphia to serve as the Dēz Kids CTE Learning & Development Center (CTELDC)- a dedicated space for training, workshops, and hands-on skill development. This center will provide students and teachers from the School District of Philadelphia with real-world experience in career and technical education, preparing them for success in high-demand trades.
Expand Training Programs
Introduce additional certifications and specialized construction skills to enhance career readiness. Students will gain hands-on experience in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and other technical trades, equipping them with industry-recognized credentials and real-world expertise.
Long-term Goals
Broaden Student Reach
Expand the Dēz Kids program to serve more students across Philadelphia and surrounding areas, increasing access to hands-on career and technical education while deepening our impact on workforce development and community revitalization.
Develop Strategic Partnerships
Strengthen collaborations with local businesses, trade organizations, and educational institutions to enhance student learning, provide real-world training opportunities, and create direct pathways to employment in high-demand industries.
Strengthen and Expand the Dēz Kids CTE Learning & Development Center (CTELDC)
Grow our newly established headquarters into a fully equipped, state-of-the-art training hub that supports year-round education, workforce readiness, and large-scale community projects. This center will provide a sustainable, long-term space for student development and serve as a cornerstone for skilled trade education in North Philadelphia.
1
Our Mission
The mission of Dēz Kids Construction Education Program is to inspire, equip, and empower young people with hands-on training, leadership skills, and real-world experience in the construction industry.
Through structured programs, students gain the knowledge and confidence needed to build careers, strengthen their communities, and take ownership of their futures.
2
Skill Development
Students gain practical construction skills that prepare them for job opportunities and further education. Training includes:
• Carpentry
• Electrical Wiring & Safety
• Masonry & Concrete Work
• Workplace & Job Site Safety
• Blueprint Reading & Measurement
• Hand & Power Tool Proficiency
• Teamwork, Leadership & Problem Solving
• Project Management
3
Industry Certifications
Students have the opportunity to earn recognized safety and trade certifications, including:
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OSHA 10 & OSHA 30 (Construction Safety)
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NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety)
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Blueprint Reading Certification
These certifications help students meet industry standards and improve their employability.
4
Paid Summer Program
Our six-week Summer Program is a paid opportunity for students ages 14-21 to gain real-world experience in construction. Participants work on live projects, earn certifications, and receive mentorship while being compensated for their time. Students keep their tools and safety equipment upon successful completion.
5
Internship Program
Dēz Kids offers school-year internships for high school seniors enrolled in construction trade programs. Interns gain hands-on experience on job sites, working alongside industry professionals. These unpaid internships provide essential skills and can lead to paid summer opportunities and career pathways.
Follow The Leader
Desmond Kirton, MBA a U.S. Army veteran and South Philadelphia native, is a highly skilled technician whose expertise extends beyond construction. As the founder of Des In The Cut Construction Company, he brings mastery in carpentry, wood framing, electrical work, plumbing, tile, and masonry, ensuring craftsmanship and community impact in every project.
After retiring from Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School in June 2023, following over a decade of teaching the science, art, and business of barbering, Desmond- also known as DJ Cut The Check- continues to lead through mentorship and innovation. As a Teacher Technology Leader and School DJ, he fused music, technology, and education to leave a lasting impact on urban education.
IHis leadership extends into the grooming industry, having managed Des In The Cut Unisex Hair Salon with professionalism and excellence. But Desmond’s vision is bigger than a single classroom or shop.
Backed by the Fellows For Justice Scholarship Program from Strayer University, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security & Emergency Management (2022) and now holds an MBA in Project Management (2025)- aligning his academic journey with his heart for workforce development, public safety, and opportunity creation for youth across Philadelphia.
As the founder of the Dēz Kids Construction Education Program, Desmond now leads a dynamic initiative providing Philadelphia youth ages 14-21 with hands-on construction training, industry certifications, and real mentorship. The program targets environmental justice, workforce readiness, and gun violence prevention, all while empowering youth to rebuild and reclaim their own neighborhoods.
Desmond’s impact has earned him high recognition, including:
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2015 Lindback Distinguished Teacher of the Year
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Acknowledgment as a “Narrative Changer” by the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement
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Three Citations for Community Service from the Philadelphia City Council
Alongside his barbering, contracting, and OSHA safety certifications, Desmond’s strengths include mentoring, public speaking, Christian counseling, proofreading, and full-scale home remodeling.
His unwavering faith in God is the foundation of his mission—to build not only structures but pathways to purpose and success. Whether in the shop, on the block, or at the boardroom table, Desmond’s personal mantra stays the same:
“It is already working.”
A reminder that through service, obedience, and faith, lives are transformed and communities are rebuilt- one soul, one student, and one project at a time.
