A Hand to Hold

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Apr 17, 2026 | community, Harrisonburg, Mentorship, team

When you get older, it’s easy to forget about the things you saw as challenges when you were younger. As we grow up, we encounter new challenges to overcome; they’re daunting, scary, overwhelming and even exciting at times; but as we tackle our challenges and get the experience under our belts, these tasks become the norm, and we tend to forget about our first encounters. I was a very fortunate kid, as I often had someone there to help me face these challenges and accomplish many of my firsts, but that is not the case for everyone. Can you imagine having to go on your first roller coaster ride all alone? If I didn’t have a hand to hold on my first ride, I don’t know if I would’ve ever gotten on. Without that support, there’s a chance I wouldn’t know what it feels like to ride a roller coaster. Life is a roller coaster in and of itself, and I will gladly offer my hand; over and over again.

I have recently offered my hand to my little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. So far, she has been very independent and brave. I’m impressed by her confidence and bravery, especially given the challenges life has already thrown at her. Maybe she feels that she must be brave and confident for others’ sake, or maybe she truly is fearless. No matter what the circumstance, I plan to be there for her; a hand to hold, a voice to reason with and a role model to look up to.

I decided to take on a little sister for many reasons, such as to have fun, to learn how to take care of kids, and to add a little whimsy back into my life, but the main reason is to help guide and support someone who may need it. When I was younger, I had a good upbringing, but I was one of four children; as you may suspect, there wasn’t always enough attention and guidance to go around. There were times when I made tough decisions on my own or learned the hard way. I think I would’ve handled those times better with a voice of reason and support. Reflecting on my childhood, I believe I would have benefited from having a mentor. If I could’ve benefited with my good upbringing, imagine how much impact a mentor could have on a mentee with less.

A mentor can have an impact on a mentee, but what many people don’t realize is that a mentee can have an impact on their mentor. All people have different perspectives, but the contrast between an adult perspective and a kid’s perspective is stark. I am always trying to put myself in other people’s shoes to understand where they’re coming from and what they’re going through. Being in the adult world has made my points of view very logical and somewhat restricted. Not everything in life is logical, and my little sister knows this. Her wild, carefree imagination allows her to think outside the box, and she is starting to teach me how to think this way again.

With a mentor guiding a mentee and a mentee rubbing off on a mentor, everyone is getting the best of both worlds. I get an amazing opportunity to help my mentee tackle the daily challenges in her life and I get to learn how to be a better person while doing it. With odds like these, I could never say no. I look forward to seeing how much we grow and all the good we can accomplish while I hold her hand and she holds mine.

In Their Own Words: The Impact of Job Shadowing

by Charles Hendricks | Apr 12, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, community, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Mentorship, team

You don’t have to guess whether taking the time to mentor makes a difference. The students who have walked through the doors of The Gaines Group speak volumes about the impact of these experiences:

David Martin, a Virginia Tech architecture student, spent a summer learning the granular details of the profession.

“With only two years of architecture school under my belt, I started this summer off knowing I had a lot to learn… I found myself having to learn the details of building sections, roof plans, wall thicknesses, construction methods… Throughout the process, Charles showed me patience and was always willing to answer any questions I had… In one of Charles’ recent blogs, he talks about being the person you needed when you were younger. From my experience, I would say that he’s putting that into practice, since the help and instruction he provided me that summer has given me valuable insight into the world of architecture.”

Ryan, a high school student from Eastern Mennonite High School, discovered that the day-to-day life of an architect isn’t just about unconstrained sketching.

“I realized that architecture, most of the time, is not designing grandiose creations from your head, but is more of a tailored approach to realize clients’ wishes… I am very grateful to the Gaines Group Architects for taking time out of his immensely busy schedule to mentor me… My perception of architecture has definitely changed and while I am still considering this as a possible career option, I feel as though my eyes have been opened to some of the non-ideal aspects of architecture.”

Chloe, the aspiring interior designer, found that her time with Charles and Jarod provided the exact clarity she needed for her future.

“His knowledge of design and his love for his job inspired me in great ways… After my mentorship experience, I decided that I am going to pursue a major in interior design at Liberty University. Finally, mentorship has taught me that I am capable of way more than I ever imagined. My mentor has done an amazing job helping me realize how successful I can be… His encouragement and confidence in me have boosted my confidence in achieving my dreams.”

It Takes Little to Be Big

by Charles Hendricks | Apr 10, 2026 | Mentorship

Mentoring doesn’t require you to have all the answers or to design a flawless curriculum. Often, it simply means offering a listening ear, sharing your realistic day-to-day experiences, and answering questions with patience.

Whether it is bringing a student into your office for an hour, hosting them for a semester-long job shadow, or volunteering with local youth programs, your guidance can be the catalyst that shapes a young person’s future.

Step up, share your knowledge, and be the person you needed when you were younger. The future of every industry depends on it.

Gaines Group Architects Named Top Employer for Interns!

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Apr 9, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Leadership, Mentorship, Office Culture

I remember my first day at the firm. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived. I knew autocad. I had an architectural degree. I had worked various jobs since I was 12, but this was the first office position. The first time that I was being asked to draw things and they would pay me for it. I understood design, but I didn’t know the 27′ rule in a kitchen, the stair formula, how far a 2 x 12 would span, or why insulation values were important. Those were not things we learned in architectural school. That first day though, I found out that my opinion mattered. The questions I asked made a difference. I could contribute to the team. I needed mentorship, but I also got to mentor those around me.

Over my 27 years at the firm I have been mentored and served as a mentor. I have learned so much from others on the team and hopefully shared some wisdom along the way. I continue to learn from our team. There is so much to know in our industry and it continues to evolve and change.

For the third year in a row our firm has been recognized as a Top Virginia Employer for Interns. This is a meaningful recognition for me personally. We have hosted dozens of high school students in job shadowing, college students as summer interns, and helped launch many into careers in architecture. This annual award celebrates the importance of providing hands on experiences, direct access to senior leadership, and a glimpse into real world skills and experiences.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the 161 employers that have put time, energy, and resources into allowing students to advance in their knowledge. Thank you for opening doors for students to explore career options.

Mentorship in Action at The Gaines Group

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Mar 20, 2026 | Leadership, Mentorship

Mentorship requires opening up your daily life to eager, curious minds. Firm members at The Gaines Group consistently adapt their job shadow programs to fit the specific goals of each student—whether that student wants to verify their passion for architecture or simply figure out if the career is wrong for them before they pay for college tuition.

Charles Hendricks frequently challenges his mentees to design a custom home using SketchUp. However, the goal is never just to create a rendering. The exercise forces students to learn the realities of the industry: wall thicknesses, manufacturing specifications, building codes, all while keeping a design cost-effective.

When a high school senior named Chloe joined the firm for a semester, she already knew she had a passion for interior design. To tailor her experience, she was paired with Jarod, the firm’s interior designer. Jarod shared his daily routine, answered specific industry questions, and discussed his own educational background.

Be the Person You Needed When You Were Younger: The Power of Mentorship

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Mar 13, 2026 | Leadership, Mentorship

We all remember what it was like to stand at the edge of our futures, unsure of which path to take. The question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a heavy burden for a high school or college student trying to map out a career they have never actually experienced.

Looking back, many of us can pinpoint the exact moment a professional took us under their wing, answered our questions, and showed us the ropes. They were the people we needed when we were younger. Today, the most impactful thing we can do as professionals is to become that person for the next generation.

At The Gaines Group Architects, mentorship is not just a nice addition to the work week; it is viewed as the key to a healthy profession. Being a “Citizen Architect” means giving back, which is why the firm actively supports organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County and regularly hosts high school and college students for job shadowing and internships.