August 31, 2025: International Overdose Awareness Day

Drug overdose is a leading cause of death in the United States and Canada, and construction workers are affected at even higher rates than average. Fentanyl, a highly lethal synthetic opioid, has significantly worsened the devastation of the opioid and polysubstance crisis, and families and communities have and continue to be left shattered... 

This means that we must keep building momentum around the important cause of educating and advocating for efforts to help save lives; and the BAC Member Assistance Program is ready to support any member or their loved ones who may be at risk for an overdose.

Whether you are experiencing substance use challenges and need information or help; are seeking counseling related to the loss of a loved one due to an overdose; are wanting to learn more about overdose death prevention pathways (such as Naloxone and other harm reduction practices); or would like to further discuss any other aspect of substance use, overdose, or prevention, please contact the BAC Member Assistance Program by calling 1-833-MAP-TALK, M-F, 8am-7pm ET. 

Click on the link below to learn more about MAP resources and this issue. 

June 2025: Men's Health Month

With over 90% of construction workers being male, the Bricklayers' Member Assistance Program (MAP) joins the U.S. and Canada in recognizing Men's Health Month. Many construction-related behavioral health issues can be prevented or addressed with awareness and education, so keep reading to learn more. Click the link to learn more and get important resourced. 

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the BAC is here to help. With a vision of increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and promoting care and recovery, the Bricklayers' Member Assistance Program (MAP) has the goal of protecting the mental health and wellbeing interests of all BAC members and their loved ones.

Click the link to register for an important fireside chat style conversation between three BAC local leaders and the Director of the BAC Member Assistance Program on the topic of construction worker mental health. The live virtual event is being held on May 19, 2025 at 8pm Eastern / 5pm Pacific. 

BAC MAP is a resource that can help members and their loved ones address their mental health needs, allowing for opportunities to lead happier, more fulfilling, and peaceful lives. To connect with BAC MAP, please call 1-833-MAP-TALK, M-F, 8am-7pm ET.

The R.E. Shepherd Scholarship Fund was established in 1977 to honor one of the founding fathers and most influential members of the Ceramic Tile Layers Union, Local 67 of Illinois. Holding the highest position in the local union and named a Vice-President of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, his vision was instrumental to the growth and success of the union movement. This scholarship continues his legacy of helping proud union families prosper.

Awards:

The R.E. Shepherd Scholarship Foundation will award four $5,000 scholarships based on academic achievement and potential, and one $5,000 scholarship to be determined by a random drawing of all those applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or above who did not win one of the four academic scholarships.

Eligibility:

Each candidate must be:

1. A high school senior at the time of application.
2. Provisionally accepted as a full-time student into an undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university.
3. A dependent child of a member in good standing of the BAC ADC 1 of IL.

Entry Requirements:

 The following information is required from each candidate:

1. Official transcript of all high school records.
2. A copy of your high school’s method for calculating your GPA.
3. Official copy of ACT or SAT test results.  

A completed application, including all required attachments listed on the last page of this application (essays, extra-curricular activities, etc.) postmarked no later than Friday April 4, 2025. 

Submission Deadline: Completed applications must be sent electronically to the Chicago Federation of Labor by Friday, February 21, 2025 at 5:00PM. Applications and all supporting documents should be emailed all together to scholarship@chicagolabor.org

Each year, the Chicago Federation of Labor awards 10 William A. Lee Memorial Scholarships to high school seniors, five to the winners of the Academic Competition, and five to the winners of the Random Drawing. The scholarships, valued at $2,000 each, may be used at any accredited college or university in the United States.

The Chicago Federation of Labor renamed the scholarship in 1985 to honor Mr. Lee, the CFL’s longest-serving president. Mr. Lee devoted over 60 years to the cause of labor and civic and community service, with 38 of those years at the CFL.

BAC annually awards three scholarships to students whose parents or step-parents are US BAC members. The stipends are $5,000 per year for up to four years – up to $20,000 total.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must: 

•    Be a senior in high school and planning to enter college in the fall of 2025
•    Be the child or stepchild of a US member in good standing of a US BAC Local

The US Bates Scholarship program is administered through International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS).    

The application deadline is April 09, 2025. ISTS will notify all applicants of the selection results in June 2025.

To access the online application, please visit https://aim.applyists.net/IUBAC. Please click here to view a list of frequently asked questions about the scholarship.

Questions? Call BAC at 1-888-880-8222 ext. 3887, or email askbac@bacweb.org.

ISTS offers tuition discounts at more than 100 accredited colleges and universities for all applicants of the US Bates scholarship.