FERGUS – Many volunteers have helped build the 32-unit stacked townhouse development that’s rising from the ground in Fergus.
But on May 21, carpentry students from Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) were on the Habitat for Humanity Guelph-Wellington’s Garafraxa Village site getting hands-on learning in a real-life workplace environment.
And they couldn’t be happier.
“It’s giving me real-world experience,” said Emma Vervoort, a grade 12 student.
“It’s very different working on site than in the classroom. And it’s good to work with good people.”
Vervoort hopes to be a welder one day, but she’s been taking many courses in the trades, just in case.
“I’ve done auto, I’ve done welding. I want to broaden my horizons; try everything to see what sticks,” she said.
On this day, framing the interior of the homes was on the docket – and she loved it.
Fellow grade 12 student Ethan Keen felt the same way. He hopes to join the Canadian military one day but said he’s done some framing in his own home, “and this has been good to build on that experience,” he said.
Grade 11 student Calum Brubacher said he likes to get his hands dirty, and working on the Habitat site was very rewarding.
This unit at the Habitat for Humanity Guelph-Wellington site in Fergus in nearing completion. Home are expected to be ready for occupancy this fall. Photos by Joanne Shuttleworth
Volunteer lead Jim Hoare said because the students already had basic training in the classroom about how to measure and the safe use of tools, the day on site was very productive.
“They have good attention to detail,” Hoare said as he praised the students.
He said the build is getting to the point when professional trades need to return. So the pressure is on to complete framing inside each of the units.
“And the students are banging it out today,” he said. “We’re making good headway.”
The students were able to attend the build thanks to a $20,000 sponsorship from Cooperators. The donation to the Sponsor-a-School initiative will allow students from John F. Ross CVI in Guelph to work on the Fergus site as well.
Beyond building, students will hear from guest speakers about career pathways in skilled trades and housing solutions, and connect with summer employment opportunities from local businesses eager to support the next generation.
Measure twice – Student Calum Brubacher measures a stud before nailing it in place at the Habitat for Humanity build site in Fergus on May 21. Cooperators sponsored the student build week for $20,000.
“This partnership is a powerful example of community leadership,” said Karyn Boscariol, director of communications and resource development at Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington.
“Thanks to Co-operators’ generous $20,000 sponsorship, students will not only help build homes, they’ll also build futures, gaining confidence, skills and real-world insight into how they can be part of the solution to housing insecurity.”
In a press release, Cooperators’ associate vice president of citizenship Shawna Peddle said the organization understands the need for affordable housing as well as the need for more tradespeople.
“We are excited to invest in building resilience for local young people and our communities in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington,” she stated.
Boscariol said construction has been moving along and they expect the first units to be ready in October.
Many have been sold but a few units are still available, she said.
To learn more about home ownership through Habitat for Humanity, about Sponsor-a-School or other sponsorship opportunities, visit habitatgw.ca/build/ or email karyn@habitatgw.ca.
