|
Project TRADE Helps Build Habitat Homes in Ocala
 A new Project TRADE (Training, Restitution, Apprenticeship Development Employment) facility was opened in Ocala, Fla. last fall by the Home Builders Institute and Phoenix House, a nationwide drug and alcohol treatment center, to help fill state vacancies in the home building industry, which totaled more than 10,000 last year, according to the Florida Department of Labor.
As part of their training in the construction trades, Ocala’s Project TRADE students have been participating in several hands-on community service efforts, including a large-scale development project with the Marion County Habitat for Humanity that will have helped 22 needy families build their own homes by the end of this year. Currently, 12 student volunteers are gaining extensive construction experience working on 16 Habitat homes two to three days a week.
“It’s been a blessing having these Project TRADE students here with us,” said Brad Nimmo, president and CEO of the local Habitat affiliate. “They have been perfect gentleman and have the skills to work on advanced projects. Their work has sped up our entire building process tenfold and has saved us countless dollars.”
The students have been assisting the Habitat project by digging trenches for pipe and plumbing and installing framing, drywall and roofing.
“We are hoping to give them (the students) something meaningful to do when they get back outside,” Sherry Cates-Aquino, director of education at Phoenix House, told the Ocala Star Banner for a story appearing on March 7. “With these skills, they now have an alternative to running back to drugs.”
Of Ocala’s first graduating class of 15 in February, 13 have already been placed in jobs in the home building industry. Among them was Daniel Hoppel, who was able to make the transition to becoming a Rector Construction employee with an $800 grant from The Patsy and Heman Smith Fund for Excellence in the Trades, which he used to purchase a skill saw, compressed air gun and houses and various tool accessories.
The ex-offenders who have been rehabilitated by Project TRADE have a recidivism rate of only 7.8%, almost 50% below a national rate of 15%. Project TRADE also operates at sites in Colorado Springs, Colo. through a partnership with ComCor, and in Sheridan, Ill.
For more information, e-mail Dennis Torbett at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8908.
|
