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Commercial Property Executive’s (CPE) Influence Awards conferred the gold award for best humanitarian project for Build-a-Bureau sponsored by Camber Development and Dacon. The CPE Influence Awards mark notable projects in commercial real estate for design, development, investment transactions, technology and community engagement. The Humanitarian Project Award recognizes leadership through a philanthropic initiative benefitting a local, national or international cause. Special consideration is given to organizations that actively participate in the cause, versus simply funding it. ‍

Build-a-Bureau was conceptualized when Mission of Deeds, a turnaround organization providing free furniture to families transitioning from shelters to homes, noticed that bureaus were not being taken. This left children keeping clothes in trash bags. Volunteer Howard Seplowitz approached Northeast Metro Tech, an in-demand vocational school of 1,372 students in Wakefield, to see if they could help. The sophomore carpentry class led by Bruce Secor located a pattern online, built a prototype, and since then can’t keep up with the demand. The three-drawer bureaus act as both end tables and provide clothing storage. More importantly, it gives transitioning children a sense of permanency as for some it is their first piece of new furniture. In 2024, 54% of the homes furnished included children totaling 1,041 youth. Applications to the career track programs at Northeast Metro Tech are highly competitive. In 2024, the school received 1,500 applications of which 360 were admitted based on merit.  This is the second award given to Build-a-Bureau since September when it won the Grand Award for Best PR Campaigns, Programs and Plans in the Apex Awards for Publication Excellence. This year Northeast Metro Tech is on track to produce 40 bureaus.

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