by Marty Proctor
Habitat for Humanity Lake Sumter in coordination with the Construction Academy at South Lake High School (SLHS) is preparing to present the keys to a new home to Cynthia Hernandez and her family in Mascott.
The home was built by students in the South Lake High School Construction Academy with guidance from Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter Florida. Part of the Habitat program includes the Hernandez family contributing more than 200 volunteer hours to the building process.
The Academy at SLHS is led by Construction Teacher Jared Fullerton. There are 85 SLHS students in the construction academy program from which eight are selected to focus on the Habitat build. Mr. Fullerton is in his third year teaching at SLHS and lives in Clermont with his family. He is also a graduate of South Lake High School. Mr. Fullerton begins, “this program provides hands-on experience for the students. This is about more than preparing students for a career in construction. It’s great for the students to be a part of the community and help. It’s a great partnership with Habitat for Humanity Lake Sumter.”
Danielle Stroud, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Lake Sumter, shares the bigger picture goal is to provide affordable and safe housing for local families and bring people together. Asked about the local program, she say, “the four construction academies in Lake and Sumter Counties are an example of a unique collaboration providing mutual benefit. The students have a meaningful opportunity to do something for someone else, to be volunteers and see homeowners benefiting from their efforts.”
Upper-level students meet four days a week throughout the school year as part of a dedicated class period on an active construction site, under experienced supervision, and begin practicing the skills and processes involved in building a house. Over the course of a year, students from each partner school will have helped build a home – taking the project from raw land to roofing and been a major part of that progression. Through this partnership, these young adults are able to see the vast amounts of options that are available to them in the trades as well as appreciate what goes into the home-building process.
Ms. Stroud notes, “it gives the students a sense of being part of their community and to think outside themselves. The program sparks thought to realize what it means to explore and give some support. They see that they can make a difference. They can experience a level of success with a family.”
There are also construction academy programs at other Lake County high schools and one in Sumter County following a similar model. Three Habitat homes have been constructed across Lake and Sumter Counties this year. All have had similar key presentation celebrations in the last few days.
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations to support families in their affordable housing efforts are tax-deductible.
For additional information go to habitatls.org, call 352-483-0434 or visit FaceBook ‘Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter Florida’
