Teaching as an instructor at CityBuild Academy

CityBuild Academy recruit individuals who are are trying to break into the construction trades. Rafael spent his whole life in construction and brought a hands-on and new take to CBA when he started back in 2011. He often connected with his students because he saw their fullest potential.

Creating an annual holiday food and clothing drive

One of Rafael’s key values in life was to give back to those who had less than he did. His father, Fidel, immigrated from Mexico to Oakland with limited English and no job opportunities. Fidel took it upon himself to stand on the street looking for work to help support his family. Rafael respected the men that stand on the very same streets that his father once stood and took it upon himself to create a tradition. He started serving food in East Oakland in 2010 and continued this tradition even through his cancer diagnosis. This tradition still lives on even through his passing.

Playing music for charities and fundraisers

Rafael loved to play the drums — he taught himself how to play at the age of 16 on pots and pans in his childhood home. He would volunteer his time to play at Walpert Adult Center in Hayward. He also played music every Sunday at his church and frequently at fundraising events. Rafael played at Relay for Life even before he knew of his cancer diagnosis. He loved seeing joy on peoples faces when he would play songs they loved.

Go Hard or Go Home Scholarship

In honor of Rafael Palacios’ dedication to CityBuild Academy, CBA has started Go Hard or Go Home, a scholarship fund in his name. As a CityBuild instructor for over ten years and a member of Local 261 Laborers’ Union, Rafael believed that anyone could achieve success with passion and hard work. His work ethic, no-nonsense attitude, and sense of humor were some of the gifts that Rafael shared with the CBA family for so many years.

The Go Hard or Go Home Scholarship will be awarded to CityBuild Academy graduates who embody the characteristics that Rafael believed in most:

• Always arriving early. As Rafael said, “if you’re not early, you’re late.”

• Showing respect for supervisors and other people on the job site

• Asking for help when unsure and helping others when they are struggling

• Creating a good working environment by having a sense of humor

• Coming to work every day with a good attitude

• Enjoying and taking pride in your work

• Always putting in extra effort and “going beyond your job description”