UniTec students lend a helping hand on Habitat home
Project gives students a chance to test their skills
By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Friday, October 10, 2008
Work on the first nine houses was done mostly just on Saturdays but the local Habitat is partnering with UniTec Career Center on Paula Franks’ home on School Street in Bonne Terre to get more work done quicker.
“This is the first time they’ve done it,” said Habitat Executive Director Linda Dickerson. “So far it has turned out to be great for us and (UniTec). They are doing very good work. It’s been a really good partnership. Students seem excited about helping someone else.”
Construction Technology Instructor Rob Stacy has 21 students in his morning class and 17 in his afternoon class. He said it is a good project for the students. If this first home works out, they could work on other Habitat homes.
He said there is only so much they can do in the shop. Each year, they do a project outside of the classroom, typically building something for a school, city or church.
That lets the students work on a project from start to finish. To work, the students must have passed the safety tests on all of the tools they use.
“Some of the (students) have never been on a roof,” he said. “Some were afraid to get up there. This is really good for them. It shows them ... that they can do it. It makes things real for them.”
Stacy said they framed the outside walls and did most of the inside walls. This week, they are putting the shingles on the roof.
He said he is coordinating with other volunteers do to whatever needs done throughout the week and organize deliveries. He expects they will help with the siding, the windows, drywall and pouring concrete. Students in the electric technology class will do the wiring.
Gordy Chamberlain, a Farmington junior, was a little leery about getting up on the roof but it didn’t take him long to get used to it.
This wasn’t the first construction project for Farmington senior, Jared Clippard. Last year, the class worked on Farmington’s wrestling room.
Fredericktown junior, Kelsey Souch, the only girl in the afternoon class, was cutting boards with a few others inside the house. She couldn’t be on the roof because she had recently had surgery. She took the class for fun because she has helped her dad around the house.
Josh Hampton, a Central senior, said it was fun and “gets us out of school.” Greg Johnson, a Central senior, thought it was good experience and fun.
Justin Henson, a Farmington junior, said it is interesting to actually build a house.
Habitat’s 10th house in St. Francois County is a three bedroom, one and a half bath house. It’s located on the corner of School and B Street.
Habitat provides interest-free mortgages with 20-year-terms. New homeowners not only have to be able to make the mortgage payments, they have to commit to at least 400 hours of “sweat equity,” 200 hours of which they must do themselves. Friends and family can help with the remaining 200 hours.
Funds for building the homes come from donations, grants, and sponsorships. For example, Frank’s church, Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington, has committed to being a Super Sponsor for her house and is raising $20,000 for the project.
Companies that donate money or in-kind services qualify for a 55 percent tax credit, and also can claim the donation on their income tax.
Dickerson is a little worried that construction is going so fast that they may run out of money to purchase materials.
She said donations are greatly appreciated and they also have a goal of building a second house this year.
Volunteers are also appreciated. This Saturday, volunteers are already signed up. The volunteers will include Upward Bound students.
She said Oct. 18 will be a big work day, putting up siding, windows and doors to enclose the house so they can start on inside work like plumbing.
People who would like to help with the house are encouraged to sign up ahead of time by calling Dickerson at 573-760-1702, or e-mail her at habitatofsfc@yahoo.com
Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.
Ads by Yahoo!
Reader Comments (
Search the archives
Last 30 Days
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
This Week's Most Viewed Stories
» All Most Viewed
This Week's Most Commented Stories
» Latest Comments
- Police release surveillance footage (23)
- Police make arrest in attempted Burger King robbery (14)
- Wounded deer attacks on hunter who shot him (10)
- Landrum announces run for mayor (8)
- Roberts announces she will seek another term (7)
» Latest Comments
This Week's Most Emailed Stories