Mending the Gap to Generational Wealth
Homeownership is a key that unlocks the doors of stability, security, and financial freedom. For families, it is an opportunity to pass down assets from generation to generation. Generational wealth can be defined as assets such as home/properties, cash, stocks and bonds, investments, etc. that can be passed down to one’s children, grandchildren, or chosen family.
For many, homeownership is the first and only introduction to generational wealth and with the current affordable housing crisis, this introduction moves further and further away. Furthermore, the lack of affordable homeownership is also widening the racial gap between minority and white homeowners. Black families embarking on their journey to homeownership continue to experience housing discrimination from banks, realtors, appraisers, etc.
A previous study conducted in 2021 showed that the homeownership rate for black homeowners was 46.4%
in comparison to 75.8% for white homeowners.
How can this be? Black Americans have less access to quality jobs and have lower wages. Black Americans are less likely to gain approval to capital for businesses, loans for home purchases, and/or home repairs. These barriers directly contribute to lower homeownership in the black community. Although the wage gap is significant across both gender and race factors, the income disparity greatly diminishes the ability of black families to increase their net worth, causing a heavy reliance on their home value.
So how do we intervene in this vicious cycle of housing inequality? Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates, to include Habitat Lake-Sumter, have taken an intentional approach to strategize and advocate for solutions that address the inequitable access to homeownership. One strategy includes increasing community engagement through educational workshops and supportive services. By utilizing this strategy, we can expand opportunities for financial education and programs that provide tools and knowledge needed to prepare Black Americans for homeownership. This approach not only ensures access and opportunity for Habitat homeownership programs, but for other homeownership opportunities as well, while building community partnerships. Another strategy is increasing awareness and expanding our Preservation & Repair programs. Home maintenance and preservation repairs have a tremendous impact on a family’s ability to maintain their home value, retain their home assets, and transfer generational wealth.
We understand the invaluable opportunities that affordable homeownership brings to families, which includes providing generational wealth.
Having an affordable home provides the foundation for stability and financial freedom for families to set goals that can improve their family’s outlook and their future generations. Everyone deserves access to an affordable, safe, and decent home, and Habitat for Humanity is committed to doing our part to be the change in our communities.
Written by Geria Forrest 2024
Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter to Team Up with Local Schools for Construction of 5 Homes
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — Students from schools in Lake and Sumter counties are teaming up to help Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter to build five homes this school year.
Throughout the school year, September through May, students from The Villages Charter School, Leesburg High School, South Lake High School, and Eustis High School will help construct the homes as part of Habitat’s Youth Construction Academy.
Officials said new classes of students will spend time during the school week working side-by-side with Habitat’s construction staff and professional tradesmen on the projects.
In May, the students and teachers will be included in a dedication ceremony to hand the house keys over to a family in need that has completed Habitat’s Home Ownership program.
The new homes will be located in Bushnell, Leesburg, Mascotte, and Tavares.
Click here to read the full story from Sarah Wilson for WFTV.com
Building Memories and Impacting Lives with Habitat for Humanity
CLERMONT, Fla. – Ten Montverde Academy Upper School students volunteered for the Habitat for Humanity Youth Impact Build that took place from 8 am to 12 noon on Thursday, July 27, 2023. They painted the home of a family located in Clermont.
The site managers, two long-time Habitat volunteers, began with a safety lesson of project rules outlined by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA requires that volunteers must be age 18 or older in order to step higher than the second step on the ladder. The students also learned to check that the ladder is secure when working on uneven surfaces and procedures for flushing out their eyes with water if paint splatters into their face. After reviewing the safety rules, students were divided into groups of 3-4 to begin the exterior painting.
Barry Steward, a retired chemical engineer who enjoyed a 46-year career in the industry, was one of the site managers. Bill Krug, former Professor of Leadership at Purdue University, retired 21-year navy commander, and forestry major, was also a site manager who has volunteered with Habitat for over 10 years.
Click here to read the full story from Margaret Price for the South Lake Tablet
2023 Playhouse Applications Now Open!
Making children’s dreams come true, family applications are now open for Jingle Build Off 2023!
5 years ago, Habitat Lake-Sumter started something that has grown into a yearly tradition that many local businesses participate in, and families wait all year for this application to be open… the time is now!!!
Jingle Build-Off Family Application 2023 <<<< Apply Now for a chance to receive a special playhouse for your family!
The Jingle Build-Off playhouse is a gift intended to alleviate the stress and cost burden that many families face during the holiday season.
They are designed to be a stepping-stone to teach young children the pride and joy of homeownership by giving them a space of their own.
If you or someone you know would benefit from a special gift of this kind, please submit your application to Melanie@habitatLS.org before September 9th, 2023.
Last year more than 100 volunteers participated in the construction and decoration of 13 individually themed playhouses that were gifted to local families.
Get Involved!
Does your business wish to build a playhouse and compete to win bragging rights for this year’s Best Playhouse?!
Ready to be a Playhouse Pro? Contact Melanie: (352) 483-0434 x141 or melanie@habitatLS.org to make magic happen with Jingle Build Off 2023!
Want to volunteer? Contact Carlos: (352) 483-0434 x119 or Carlos@habitatLS.org
Ready to build? Register your team today!
Be the Jingle Build-Off Event Sponsor!
After completing paperwork email it to melanie@HabitatLS.org
Want to receive a playhouse?
Click here to fill Out an Application and Submit to:
Check out our First Annual Jingle Build-Off Competition from 2019
Check out our Second Annual Jingle Build-Off Competition from 2020
Check out our Third Annual Jingle Build-Off Competition from 2021
Check out our Fourth Annual Jingle Build-Off Competition from 2022
WHMS construction program helps with Habitat homes
Wildwood Middle High School is training the future builders of the community.
The school is developing a new Construction Academy. Last year, it began its HVAC — heating, ventilation, and air conditioning — and electrician program. It will bring those programs together to make the Construction Academy.
Students in the program have helped with Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter’s homebuilding sites in Eustis and Leesburg by putting house wrap and siding on homes, among other tasks.
RoMac Match – Double Your Impact!
With your help, Caleb has a brighter future.
Today, you can partner with RoMac Building Supply to double your donation and help Caleb obtain valuable vocational skills with Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter’s Youth Construction Academy.
When you give, RoMac Building Supply will match every dollar donated in March, up to $20,000!
Your gift helps Caleb graduate high school career-ready, with the training and education to enter the workforce in a growing industry!
Today, your gift
of $25 will be doubled to become $50!
And your gift of $100 will become $200!
Together, we can do twice as much.
Your donation builds safe, affordable homes while providing a hands-on education to the next generation.
Give today to double your dollar and double YOUR impact with RoMac Building Supply!
With Double the Gratitude,
Danielle Stroud
CEO
P.S. Your gift today unlocks the door to better education and a more stable future for Caleb! Will you donate the key?
VHS Academy holds dry-in for two homes
Debbie Duket’s 13-year-old granddaughter soon will have her own room for the first time. Duket’s family is receiving one of the homes students with The Villages High School’s Construction Management Academy are building in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. “She and I have shared a room for 13 years, so we are thrilled,” she said. “She wants to decorate.”
The 27 academy seniors are building two homes this year instead of one — a first for the academy. Students, sponsors and community members celebrated the halfway point of both homes with a dry-in ceremony Friday at the home sites in Wildwood.
Citizens First Bank is sponsoring Duket’s home, a 1,461-square-foot house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Duket will move in by the end of the school year with her daughter Victoria Duket and her granddaughter Dylann Duket.
“They’re beautiful homes, well-made,” Debbie said. “And I just feel like there is so much love in it. I got goosebumps walking in it today. It’s almost done. It’s so close.”
Brad Weber, executive vice president and chief lending officer of Citizens First Bank, said projects like this benefit families and communities as a whole.
“We know it is proven that homeownership brings up the quality of every community,” Weber said. “And that’s why projects like this are so important.”
Weber also said it is an investment for the students.
“Not only are we building two homes, and not only are we improving the quality of the community, but we’re improving the quality of our future with these students who work so hard on these homes,” he said.
RoMac Building Supply, based in Leesburg, is sponsoring the second home, a 1,215-square-foot house with two bedrooms and one bathroom.
Don Magruder, chief executive officer of RoMac Building Supply, said he looks at the students as the future of the industry.
“But more importantly, you guys are doing something very important for these families and this community,” he told them during the ceremony. “You’re doing something good and it makes you feel good about this generation coming up.”
The construction projects allow students to work with industry partners and learn all the skills needed to build a home.
They can earn industry certifications while in the academy and gain valuable job experience.
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter hosts biggest playhouse building event of the season
TAVARES, Fla. — Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter held their fourth annual “Jingle Build-Off” on Saturday.
This year’s was the largest playhouse building event so far, as 13 different playhouses were built for donating to kids for the holidays.
Teams competed to build their houses and have them showcased in the Tavares Christmas Parade and Celebration.
Sponsor of the Month: Mount Dora Community Trust!
Martha is a life-long resident of Mount Dora, Florida and has owned her home since 1979. When describing her neighborhood, Martha shares memories about her family’s first home on Jackson Street and when Downtown Mount Dora was made up of “two hardware stores and a general store”. Needless to say, Martha has been witness to a lot of growth and change in her city.
Martha family’s history and connection to the area began when she was a child and her father worked for the City of Mount Dora. Her family has stayed close, with her sister living in their old family home. Martha raised her own children in the home she is living in now. For Martha, Mount Dora is truly home.
But this past June, Martha’s air conditioning broke. Among a series of repairs needed to her roof, overhanging trees, and damaged windows, Martha said the broken air conditioning was difficult and not good for her health, “I couldn’t breathe. The house was too hot, I would come and sit in the car for A/C,” says Martha.
Martha heard about repair work that the city of Mount Dora had available and decided to find out if she could receive help. With grant funds from Mount Dora Community Trust and matching funds through the City of Mount Dora, we were able to partner together to replace Martha’s A/C in August.
Mount Dora Community Trust partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter and the City of Mount Dora to invest in revitalizing the Northeast district of Mount Dora, FL.
As part of Habitat Lake-Sumter’s Preservation and Repair program, Mount Dora Community Trust has sponsored a total of $30,000 to be re-invested into the City of Mount Dora for an output of two critical home repairs. Mount Dora Community Trust’s grant provides access to Mount Dora’s matching CRA funds for a community benefit of $60,000.
Through Habitat Lake-Sumter’s Preservation and Repair program, cost-burdened homeowners, like Martha, can update the homes they already own by receiving repairs to increase the safety, accessibility, and beauty of the home. This allows Habitat Lake-Sumter to help maintain the affordable housing stock in our community and ensure that everyone has a decent place to live.
Martha’s roof was replaced prior to Hurricane Ian, so she was safe at home. With HVAC replacement also complete, Martha’s home will receive a fresh coat of paint and interior repairs, including cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom re-model with accessibility modifications. Martha spends her time gardening and when her orchids bloom, she likes to bring them inside. She says the plants come alive and don’t give her too much trouble.
“It would have taken years to save enough money to get the home back to where it needed to be, I don’t think I could have done it,” says Martha. Since the roof and HVAC replacement, Martha says it’s easier to breathe. “I’m not stressed out by how am I going to get this done,” she says, “I’m going to be so happy after the repairs are complete. Like the flowers – Ahhhhh….” Martha breathes a sigh of relief.
To learn more about this partnership or Habitat for Humanity’s programs contact Lacie@HabitatLS.org at 352-483-0434 Ext. 146.
This grant was made possible by the generosity of Mount Dora Community Trust. Since 1972 the Trust has collected funding for local educational, charitable, and benevolent projects and purposes. The Trust provides outreach programs to schools, charities and civic causes through the generous actions and financial support of Mount Dora residents and businesses committed to promoting the community’s unity and prosperity.
VHS Construction Management Academy breaks ground on second home
Shannon McPherson could not find the words to express her gratitude.
She couldn’t even find one word.
The Leesburg resident and her son, Devin, will live in the second home students with The Villages High School’s Construction Management Academy are building through Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter.
“One word can’t encapsulate it,” McPherson said. “It’s not a single-word journey.”
She helped moved piles of dirt for her future home during the groundbreaking Wednesday in Wildwood.
This is the first year VHS Construction Management Academy students are building two homes. Students broke ground on the other home in August.
VHS Principal Rob Grant said the academy and the partnership with Habitat gives students a snapshot of what it’s like to have a career in construction.
“I hope you all have a great experience. You are going to do what no other class has ever done — build two homes,” Grant said to the crowd.
Business partners such as Citizens First Bank, RoMac Distribution and RoMac Building Supply also attended Wednesday’s event.
Justin Cooper, a general manager at RoMac Distribution, spoke about the need for more people in the industry.
“We need you in the future of building,” Cooper said to students. “I don’t know if you know how important it is, but there is always construction, and there is always building to be done. You guys will play a critical role in that. So, to have young men and young women interested in that — thank you.”
Bruce Haberle, instructor of The Villages High School’s Construction Management Academy, is proud that students are taking on two homes this year.
“I think it’s really awesome that, one, we have the manpower,” Haberle said. “And now we have knowledge from the first house to jump into the second house. The kids are doing really well this year.”
Click here to read the full story by
Volunteer Voice: OSU Students
Habitat Lake-Sumter’s Collegiate Challenge program provides year-round alternative break opportunities to college students across the United States. Ohio State University students recently joined us for a week over summer break as part of the college’s Buck-iServ program, to explore Florida and volunteer on numerous construction projects!
Join Billan from OSU, for an Instagram Takeover, while she and her fellow students volunteer on a Preservation and Repair Project in Mascotte, FL.
When students volunteer with Habitat Lake-Sumter, they ensure that every family has a safe and affordable place to call home. Access to safe, affordable housing – whether new construction or a critical home repair – can be life-changing for families, with far-reaching impact on health, education, and economic outcomes. Service volunteering can be equally transformative for students as they learn more about the complex issues surrounding affordable housing and witness their own potential for making an impact!
Thank You, OSU!
Assisting friends in need
Despite relying on an oxygen tank, Barbara McGee makes an effort to hop on her mower to cut her grass every few weeks. However, McGee’s home needed maintenance beyond what she could handle. That is why her friend Lorry Hein, of the Village of Tall Trees, nominated her house as the first project for Villagers Home Assist, a new program started by the Villagers Habitat for Humanity club. About a dozen club members met Friday at McGee’s house in Lady Lake to pressure wash the home’s exterior, clean the gutters, trim hedges and other chores.
Click here to view the full article by
Women Build Update!
We celebrated an incredible evening with the Women Build Presenting Sponsor, AgeWave Solutions Inc, honoring all the Women Build participants, top fundraising teams and the highlight of the evening: inducting new members into the Sisterhood of the Pink Hard Hats!
This year, we had 66 Women Build participants who rallied their communities to raise over $70,000 to build a home and transform the lives of Sheena Tynes and her children. We’re celebrating our highest goal achieved through Women Build and the growing Sisterhood of the Pink Hard Hats, 15 new members were inducted into the Sisterhood!
RECORD SETTING YEAR!
Top Fundraising Team:
Chicks with Sticks raised $18,073 and partnered with Habitat to secure material donations for the home!
Honorable Mentions:
- Team Nailed It! was the first and only team to have every member inducted into the Sisterhood of the Pink Hard Hats!
- 9 of the 11 Teams raised over $1,000! View the leadership board here!
Top Fundraiser:
Lisa Carter Harsh from Chicks with Sticks raised $9,012! A record-setting achievement.
Honorable Mentions:
Ruth Pizarro from Chicks with Sticks raised $5,052 and Laurie Bryant from the Hammer Knockers raised almost $3,000 and passed on the title of Top Fundraiser to Lisa Carter Harsh.
The effort of these incredible individuals is supported by our Presenting Sponsor, AgeWave Solutions, Inc and this year’s Hard Hat Sponsor, Sun Kool Air Conditioning.
This year, Women Build participants will be raising the walls for a new home in Eustis, Florida. Construction officially begins on Saturday, June 25th and Women Builders will be on-site for two weeks as we work together to build a home!
The opportunity to own an affordable home can remove barriers that might have been part of a family’s life for years, if not generations. Thanks to Women Build, we can offer that opportunity for a family who needs it most.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Women Build empowers you to make a difference. Together, we can build homes, communities, and better futures for local families. If interested in learning more about Women Build or joining us for next year’s build, contact Development Director, Lacie Himes at (352) 483-0434 x 146 or Lacie@habitatLS.org
Students help fulfill family’s home dream
A local family of five has finally gotten the home it always wanted. On Friday morning, Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter and members of the Construction Management Academy at The Villages High School presented the keys to a brand new home in Wildwood to Shane Thomas, Nicole Brandon and their three children. Thomas addressed the crowd at the dedication ceremony. “This means a lot to my family,” he said. “We struggled a lot for a long time, so to be able to have a home that we can call our own — it’s hard to put it into words.” All 13 VHS seniors in the construction academy were involved in various capacities throughout the build, from flooring to the roof’s trusses, to help them get a real feel for the work.
The Construction Management Academy is just one of multiple academies available at The Villages High School that prepare students for post-secondary education and the workforce.
“These are kids building a home like this,” Thomas said. “It’s amazing, guys.”
During the ceremony, each student was introduced, and construction academy instructor Bruce Haberle commented on their performance in the program. VHS Principal Rob Grant also was in attendance.
“It’s one of my favorite days of the year as a principal — being able to come out and see the accomplishments of our kids,” Grant said.
Danielle Stroud, president and chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter, spoke about what building and dedicating a home means for students and the community.
“What you guys built here today will last past your time in school,” Stroud said. “And it will continue to invest in families just like you guys.”
The Brandon family put in more than 200 “sweat equity hours,” which included helping out with the build and taking financial literacy courses, Stroud said.
Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter makes sure the housing is affordable with a manageable mortgage.
Click here for the full story by Garrett Shiflet, Daily Sun Staff Writer
You’re Invited: Ground Breaking Celebrations
Join us as we break ground for four new homes in
partnership with local schools, community partners, and
Habitat Lake-Sumter’s Youth Construction Academy!
Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, select students
from each school’s Construction Program will work side
by side with Habitat and other construction
professionals to learn valuable and employable skills
while building a home for a local family in need.
For location details and to RSVP contact Lacie@HabitatLS.org or (352) 483-0434 x 146
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WINS NONPROFIT OF YEAR AWARD FROM LAKE COUNTY CHAMBER ALLIANCE
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida was chosen as the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year from the Lake County Chamber Alliance.
The Lake County Chamber Alliance annually recognizes individuals whose dedication, selfless service and commitment have made a difference in our community.
Receiving the 2020 Non-Profit of the Year Award is a significant milestone for Habitat Lake-Sumter. With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Habitat Lake-Sumter faced many challenges in continuing its mission to build homes, communities, and hope.
Despite temporarily closing the ReStores and suspending volunteers from construction sites, Habitat Lake-Sumter was able to complete construction of five homes for local families during the COVID-19 crisis.
Since the height of the pandemic in July 2020, Habitat Lake-Sumter began construction on eight additional new homes and critically repaired 21 homes: providing safe and stable housing for 29 families at a time when ‘home’ was the key factor to health and security in Lake and Sumter counties.
Click here to read the full article from Lake & Sumter Style, Akers Editorial
VHS students show construction skills
By building a house for Habitat for Humanity, Villages High School Construction Management Academy students are learning a lot. Students celebrated reaching the dry-in stage Wednesday with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Citizens First Bank, business partners in the construction industry, volunteers and the high school’s pep band. Dry-in is the turning point of the construction process when the framing, windows, exterior doors, roof, shingles and waterproof barrier are all done to protect anything inside the house that could be damaged by water. It’s usually the halfway point of the construction project, said Barry Martin, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity, who is supervising volunteers and working with VHS academy instructor Bruce Haberle.
Read this story and many others in Friday’s edition of the Daily Sun.
First Year with the Inmate Construction Academy
The morning of November 22nd, 2019 marked the dedication of the first Habitat house completed by The Inmate Construction Academy. A crowd of family members, inmates, and others from the community gathered to celebrate the dedication of the Santiago-Lozada family and their new home. As Sheriff Grinnell handed the key to their home, sweet tears of joy fell as the crowd’s applause filled the air. This was a very special moment for the Santiago-Lozado family and all who were involved in its creation. The completion of this home also marks the close to the first year of the Inmate Construction Academy.
Back in 2017, when Hurricane Marie struck the island of Puerto Rico, the Santiago-Lozada family was one of many who lost their homes. Two years later, the Santiago-Lozada’s have been given a fresh start; a new home, one where their young son can grow up and they can begin to re-build their lives. In closing this first chapter to the Inmate Construction Academy, the program’s goal was to mirror the fresh beginning given to the new homeowners and symbolize a chance for inmates from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to begin re-building their lives as well.
One of the things that makes this home so special, aside from the journey of the homeowner, is the hardworking people who volunteered their time to make it happen. The majority of this home’s construction, and the record time in which it was built, is an accreditation to the Inmate Construction Academy; a partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and community support. Under the direction of Construction Leader, Ernie Burley, and Master Deputy, Dave Wolniak, the home was completed in less than 5 months.
Deputy Wolniak describes the goal of the Inmate Construction Academy as a means to help inmates gain experience to carry into their lives post-sentence and as Wolniak says “to keep going in a good direction.”
Deputy Wolniak says the endeavor has been great for the inmates that built this home, saying “a lot of inmates are grateful for the knowledge and experience they’ve gained” and he looks forward to replicating a new home build with the partnership of Habitat Lake-Sumter in the near future.
Thank you to Sheriff Grinnell and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for partnering with Habitat Lake-Sumter to build homes, communities, and hope.
Around the House: Students should consider a career in construction
The construction trade programs in our local high schools and technical schools are exploding with student growth and interest as young people are realizing that college is not for everyone and great career opportunities exist with construction-related skillsets. The writing is on the wall as technology will eliminate millions of jobs in manufacturing, retail and service-related industries over the next decade. Good college degree jobs in offices that exist today will be gone tomorrow — just ask people in the banking industry. Young people are seeing the future clearly and understand career paths are changing.
There are now construction academies in Lake and Sumter Counties — at Leesburg High School, Eustis High School, South Lake High School and The Villages Charter High School. There are over 300 students enrolled in these programs, and two of these academies (Leesburg and The Villages) are building homes for Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter.
Lake Tech is growing each semester with technical training in construction-related fields, and they are seeing continued growth in students and industry needs. Apprenticeship programs are springing up throughout Central Florida with groups like iBuild Central Florida laying the foundation for huge growth in training.
For any young person who is undecided whether to pursue a career in the construction trades or go to college, allow me to make the case for pursuing a career in the construction trades.
- Most skilled craftspeople earn more than most people who have a college degree. Even entry-level workers in the construction industry have an opportunity to earn more than most liberal arts majors leaving a university. Master craftspeople can easily earn more than those who have a Ph.D.
- Once you become a skilled craftsperson and you have your own tools, you become recession proof. Sure, the economy could falter and building slow down again. However, skilled craftspeople can always find work doing repairs for homeowners and businesses. If you have the skills, tools and ambition — you can always find work to put food on the table.
- No student debt is required. The high school construction academies are free, Lake Tech is stunningly affordable and many companies offer scholarships for training. There is over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, which will bury a generation. The tradespeople will be the ones buying homes and fixing them up in the future because they will make more money and have less debt.
Click here for the full article by the Daily Commercial.
Leesburg High students earn valuable experience teaming with Habitat to build house
LEESBURG — A dozen Leesburg High School students will be doing more than math equations, English essays and science experiments this year. They’ll be constructing a home from the ground up, too.
The three-bedroom, two-bath home will be built near downtown Leesburg for a family in need as part of a unique partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter and Leesburg High’s Construction Academy.
Groundbreaking took place Monday at 107 N. 12th St., with a throng of state and local elected officials, business leaders and members of the community showing support for both the project and the academy. The vacant lot was donated by the city.
“This is great — the students and Leesburg High School needed it, the city of Leesburg needed it and the community needed it,” said Don Magruder, CEO of RoMac Building Supply and chairman of the academy’s advisory committee.
Roughly 100 students are enrolled in the academy, and the 12 students participating in the build were chosen based on their performance and leadership in the classroom. Each was required to have at least one year of construction classes.
“They are really a great group of talented kids,” said Lynnea Weissman, project manager with the Lake County school district’s office of College and Career Readiness. “It’s an opportunity for them to give back to the community.”
During the roughly eight-month project, the students will work alongside Habitat’s construction staff and professional tradespeople. They’ll use skills they’ve learned in class to work on every phase of the build, including the foundation and framing, electricity, plumbing, windows, doors, flooring and painting.
Senior Max Acosta, who is in his third year at the academy, said he walked into the academy during his sophomore year and fell in love with the program.
“It makes me feel really good to work on a project like this,” he said. “I’ll have a well-paid job after high school, too.”
Officials celebrate start of Leesburg High Habitat home
Leesburg High School Construction Academy students broke ground on a new home they’re building with Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter. At the end of the build, expected in May, the students will hand off the keys to the new homeowner.
LEESBURG — As the morning sun beat down Monday on 107 N. 12th St., the once-empty city lot bustled with activity.
Dozens of Leesburg, Lake County and state business people and representatives gathered at the unassuming address behind the Sunoco gas station to witness the groundbreaking of an innovative project: a home that will be built from the ground up with the help of local students.
Ten students from the Leesburg High School Construction Academy broke ground Monday on a home they’ll spend the school year building with staff from Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter. It’s a big task, but the team thinks they can do it.
“I feel like I’m gonna get out here and bust my butt and get it done,” LHS sophomore Jacob Moore said, looking out over the freshly turned dirt.
Moore said he and his classmates — who were selected from among those who qualified for the project based on their skill and exceptional teamwork — hadn’t had much time to get to know each other or their new instructor, but there will be plenty more time once they get on the job. They expect to work four days most weeks.
The academy’s new instructor, Jim Ellwood, said he’s confident too, and he wants to see the students succeed. Ellwood, who’s spent more than 40 years in the construction industry, said it’s more important than ever that students have opportunities like the build.
“Right now there’s a huge need for skilled workers,” he said. “If we do not train these students, we have no one to blame but ourselves.”
Kent Adcock, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter, said a home build usually doesn’t take a full school year, but because it’s a teaching opportunity, they’ll be working slow. He predicts the students will finish it around April or May, just in time to hand off the keys to the homeowner.
“I think this will be a transformative event for the students,” Adcock said, noting that the students will get to see the finished product at the end of the year and will personally hand the keys over to the new owner.
Click here to read the full article by By Payne Ray / pray@dailycommercial.com
Learn More About Our Youth Construction Academy
LHS Construction Academy to build first Habitat house
Monday will be the official groundbreaking of a Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter home built by Leesburg High School Construction Academy students and Habitat staffers. Students will work on the project from start to finish.
LEESBURG — State and local officials, business leaders and community residents are invited to celebrate the ground-breaking of a new Habitat for Humanity home built by Habitat Lake-Sumter and students from the Leesburg High Construction Academy.
The ceremony takes place on Monday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the home site, 107 North 12th St. The land for the home was donated by the city.
“This is a wonderful community project,” said Don Magruder, RoMac Building Supply CEO and academy advisory committee chairman. “We will have refreshments, a few speeches, the Leesburg High band and cheerleaders there. We are encouraging all the downtown merchants and the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce to participate with us, and we want the public to come out as well. It’s important for these students to know we support them in their efforts not only to prepare for a great career, but to also give back to their community.”
Production of the Habitat home will be a yearlong project in which students will put lessons from the previous year into practice. They’ll be working on the home from its foundations to the last coat of paint.
Students will work side-by-side with Habitat’s construction staff and professional tradespeople, many of whom plan to donate their time and resources toward the project and serve as mentors for the students.
Click here to read the full article from the Daily Commercial
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Leesburg Construction Academy Students To Celebrate Groundbreaking of Home They Will Build With Habitat For Humanity
State and local elected officials, business leaders and community residents are invited to celebrate a new partnership between Leesburg High School Construction Academy students and Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter Florida, as the two break ground on a home they will build in Leesburg for a family in need.
The ceremony takes place on Monday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the home site, 107 N. 12th Street, which was donated by the city.
“This is a wonderful community project,’’ said Don Magruder, CEO of RoMac Building Supply and chairman of the academy’s advisory committee. “We will have refreshments, a few speeches, the Leesburg High band and cheerleaders there. We are encouraging all the downtown merchants and the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce to participate with us, and we want the public to come out as well. It’s important for these students to know we support them in their efforts not only to prepare for a great career but to also give back to their community.”
Production of the Habitat home will give students an opportunity to put into practice what they have been learning in class. It will be a yearlong project, during which the students will work on every phase of the house including building the foundation and framing; installing electricity, plumbing, doors, windows, sheetrock and flooring; and painting. Students will work side by side with Habitat’s construction staff and professional tradespeople, many of whom plan to donate their time and resources toward the project and serve as mentors for the students.
Students participating in the build were selected from a large pool of applicants. They were required to have taken at least one year of construction classes at Leesburg High School and demonstrated exceptional performance and leadership in their classwork. They also had to write an essay explaining why they would be a good addition to “the dream team.”
Click here to read the full article from the South Lake Tablet
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VHS seniors, habitat joining forces again
Dressed in her work boots, Villages High School senior Ashley Hess looked over the patch of grass Friday where, soon, she and her classmates will build a family’s home. “This experience will help me build something from the ground up,” she said. The Villages High School seniors, who are students in the school’s Construction Management Academy, joined about 40 others for a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter on Friday for a new home on Orange Circle near Lemon Street in Lady Lake. Habitat and the academy are working together on the project to provide a new home for Brandee Shields of Ocklawaha. Shields attended the ceremony before she headed to work for The Villages Health. The mother of two boys, ages 8 and 9, is looking forward to her new home.
“I’m excited, overwhelmed and so thankful to be a part of the whole process,” she said.
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, with the help of volunteers and sponsors, builds affordable homes. The homes are sold to those who demonstrate a need and are willing to partner with the organization by performing activities such as participating in the building of their home. The home on Orange Circle marks the second that seniors in the school’s academy will work on, said Bruce Haberle, the instructor for the academy.
Last year, Haberle led about 11 seniors on the project. They worked from August until May to complete their first home. The program was such a success that Habitat and the academy decided to work together again, Haberle said.
This year, he will have five seniors working on-site during two morning class periods, and hopes to have seven more seniors in his afternoon class work on the home.
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Around the House: Community rallies for LHS Habitat project
The upcoming school year for the Leesburg High School Construction Academy promises to be exciting, challenging and very rewarding as the students are partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter to build a home for a local family. The home will be constructed at 107 North 12th Street in Leesburg, which is just off Main Street and close to First Baptist Church of Leesburg. Although the owners of the home have not been determined by Habitat, the approval process should be completed by the group in early fall.
“Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a handout,” said Kent Adcock, president and CEO of Habitat, adding that the group has a qualification process that requires “sweat equity” homeownership for each project.
The Construction Academy’s Habitat project is a community project that is truly a collaborative effort.
The revamped Construction Academy was one of the top priorities of incoming Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay, who mustered the construction industry to support an $866,000 grant from the state of Florida. Through the efforts of Kornegay and the Lake County School Board, LHS received the grant last summer. Lynnea Weissman, grant project manager for Career and College Readiness, was tasked by Lake County Schools to develop the construction program and institute Kornegay’s vision.
A great deal of the success of the project is owed to State Rep. Jennifer Sullivan and State Sen. Dennis Baxley, who championed the grant in the Florida Legislature.
Weissman assembled an advisory board of local leaders who committed to the program’s success by meeting monthly to help develop a career pathway for students in the construction trades. The board brought real world construction expertise to the academy and helps with mentorships, training, demonstrations and the development of soft skills needed for employment. The board also assisted in setting up the first Academy of Construction Technologies (ACT), which allows member construction companies to hire students for summer paid internships. Students in the LHS Construction Academy now have the opportunity to work in real construction jobs at very attractive pay rates. Plus, these students are seeing firsthand the lucrative jobs offered in the building trades.
Click here for the full article by the Daily Commercial
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Youth Construction Academy Program Sponsor: United Way
Jasmine Jacobs held tightly to her 6-year-old daughter’s hand as they walked up to their new home together. Awaiting their arrival were some of the people who helped her become a first-time homeowner, including 11 seniors from the construction management academy at The Villages High School. The young builders stood proudly outside the brand-new home on Winners Circle in Lady Lake as it glistened in the sunlight Friday morning.—Rachel Stuart, The Villages Daily Sun
As the first graduating class, the success of the partnership between the Villages Charter School and Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter was evident in the smiling faces of the new homeowner, students, teachers, and sponsors alike.
As the Youth Construction Academy expands to include Leesburg High School and over 70 new students; the success and growth of the Youth Construction Academy is due in no small part to United Way of Lake-Sumter. United Way has chosen Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter to receive an education grant in support of the Youth Construction Academy.
The Villages Charter High School students worked alongside industry professionals, instructors, and Habitat Construction Manager, Barry Martin, to build the house as part of their capstone project; construction began in August with the students building as their first period class.
“They were able to hone their construction skills and get a realistic feel for the business,” said Bruce Haberle, instructor of the construction management academy. “It’s a team-building experience where they were able to give back to those who are less fortunate.”
United Way’s mission is to “advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health,” Habitat of Lake-Sumter and United Way share in the belief that these three things are the “building blocks for a good life—a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.”
Thanks to United Way of Lake-Sumter and their ongoing partnership with Habitat’s Youth Construction Academy, the graduating class will be the first of many students to gain experience, acquire employable skills, and engage in the social responsibility and community impact that shapes professional and personal development.
“It’s been amazing, and they’ve done a great job,” said Danielle Stroud, Senior Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. “We really hope they learned something along the way, which is the purpose of this partnership.”
Check out some photos from the dedication on our Facebook Page!
Students experience building firsthand
A local family soon will have a home with the help of 11 seniors from The Villages High School.
The students are building an 1,100-square-foot house in Lady Lake through the school’s Construction Management Academy’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity, a housing organization that works with communities across the nation.
On Thursday, the roof trusses were set on the house where the students have worn hard hats and climbed ladders four days a week since the beginning of the school year.
VHS Principal Bill Zwick stood at the construction site to observe and admire their hard work.
“This gives them the total experience of building a house from beginning to end,” Zwick said. “When they graduate, they’ll have this background knowledge. It’s a learning experience that will benefit them no matter where they go in life.”
The students started building the back wall Aug. 16, and their hands will be on the house until the project is complete at the end of the school year. So far, they are on schedule.
The two-year academy launched last year, and this is the first year it has been offered to both juniors and seniors.
The juniors learn the basics of construction and go through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-hour training, and the seniors put their skills to the test.
“It gives us a good foundation to build a career,” said senior Colby Sharp, 17.
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Sponsor of the Month: Citizens First Bank
Hospitality. Hard Work. Stewardship. Innovation & Creativity. The pillars of Citizens First Bank were put on shining display this year as they sponsored our inaugural Youth Construction Academy class! Recognizing the value of hands-on education for the next generation, our longtime partner decided to invest in the Youth Construction program and help us ensure it gets off to an amazing start. Beginning on August 9th, the house in Lady Lake will be built from the ground up by seniors from The Villages Charter School’s Construction Science program, with guidance from experienced Habitat supervisors and instructors from the school. By the end of their year in May, they will have completed a full build, from concrete to keys, and be invited to participate in the dedication ceremony for the low-income family moving in.
Citizens First Bank was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in The Villages, Florida. Their two branches, one in The Villages and one in Leesburg, provide top-quality service focused on the needs of their area. By providing comprehensive banking resources and personalized experiences to their community, they are able to fully embrace their place as a hometown bank, and share a special relationship with their clients. For more information on the services they offer, check out their website here or give them a call at 352-753-9515 or 800-707-1893.
VHS, Habitat Team up to build a home Together
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter will break ground on a new home soon, but the construction crew may look a little younger than usual.
The Villages Charter School and Habitat for Humanity are teaming up through The Villages High School Construction Management Academy to give participating seniors the opportunity to gain firsthand experience on a job site.
Construction on the first home students will have a hand in building will begin in August, but families interested in applying for the home in Lady Lake can do so today through Tuesday by clicking here: habitatls.org/programs/home-ownership/qualifications or by calling 352-483-0434.
“Part of the ramp-up was deciding what projects students would take on, because all of our academies are project based,” said Randy McDaniel, the charter school’s director of education.
VHS academies begin with an advisory board made up with professionals from that field.
“We organized a group of people to be on the construction board and began brainstorming sessions,” McDaniel said. “It was during that discussion that one of the architects mentioned Habitat for Humanity.”
Thanks to the partnership, students in the academy with an interest in construction will have the opportunity to gain real-life experience.
“It’s just like all of our academies — the closer you can make the experience to real life, the better it is going to be,” McDaniel said. “They’re going to be learning how to build a house. They will be there from the foundation to completion. That’s about as real world as you get.”
McDaniel said students will practice time management. They will learn how to meet demands and deadlines, and they will gain pride in their work and skills they learn.
“We are very excited about the opportunity for the kids and the school,” he said. “Plus, Habitat’s mission to help people become homeowners is pretty big. My hope is that it goes really well and becomes a long-running partnership.”
As instructor for the academy, Bruce Haberle will oversee the partnership.
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Construction Academy welcomes partnership
If you thought construction in The Villages was booming — you haven’t seen anything yet.
Now, all eyes are set on training the next set of builders and craftsmen.
On Tuesday, representatives from The Villages High School’s Construction Management Academy were joined by community and business partners to officially announce a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter.
Starting in August, 12th-grade students enrolled in the academy will no longer start their day in the classroom, but rather on the job site working side-by-side with volunteers to construct an anticipated 1,200-square-foot, 2-3 bedroom home.
“This gives the kids the ability to build a home from start to finish,” said Larry Green, construction management teacher at VHS and resident of the Village of Osceola Hills. “They’ll get to be a part of all the different components — from the ground substructure, all the way to the top of the roof.”
The school currently offers nine academy options to juniors and seniors, including health sciences, engineering, entrepreneurship and more.
Both agriscience and construction management were added prior to the start of the current school year, largely to accommodate growth and demand
in The Villages.
Tuesday’s partnership with the local chapter of the nonprofit organization was the result of many months of planning that included gaining building permits, negotiating with insurance providers and attracting local business partners.
“It’s going to be exciting working with these young people,” said Barry Martin, construction manager with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, who already has secured the site for the new home off Griffin View Drive in Lady Lake.
“You know not everybody is cut out for college,” added Martin. “In construction, there’s just so many different arenas that you can go into. Each one of them all have the potential to make an excellent living, and maybe even start their own businesses one day. Being able to share with them the joy in building a home, and seeing something like this go up — it’s just going to be awesome.”
Tuesday also served as a platform to unveil a new 24-foot trailer designed by Mike Manly, owner of MiCo Customs — a Wildwood-based residential and commercial contracting service.
Click here to read the full article.
Event Spotlight: Spruce Up the Block Party
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what does it take to keep that village up? An active community!
While our usual Preservation and Repair projects focus on individual homes in need of exterior restoration, clean-up, and accessibility improvements, we know that there’s bigger ways to meet the needs of our community. That’s why we’re partnering with various local groups – from police departments to churches – to start providing these types of services to larger groups of homes at one time. By addressing a larger group of homes with a larger group of volunteers, our impact is, well, larger.
For the first “Spruce Up The Block Party” event, we’ll be heading into Mt. Dora and putting our efforts into the homes on Gorham Street. With some homes having come from the 1930s, there’s many ways we can gear up, buckle down, and get to work. Most efforts will focus on increasing the safety and cleanliness of these homes while improving the appearance of the area as a whole. Not everyone wants a new house, but it’s hard to turn down a fresh coat of paint, a pressure-washed driveway, and a well-groomed yard. Homeowners and community members will get to interact and work together on this initiative, creating a stronger bond and forming new relationships.
Volunteers from all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome! We’ll have our experienced staff on-site to coordinate efforts in conjunction with other community leaders, so don’t worry about being new to the game. For more information about dates, locations, and how to get involved, head to the event page here!
Program Spotlight: Youth Construction Academy
As part of Habitat’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the community, we recognize the need to engage our youth in that goal as well. To spearhead this effort, we’re starting a new initiative called the “Youth Construction Academy.” The purpose of this program is to interact with the next generation on a meaningful level. This means not just showing them what we do, but teaching them. Through the coordination of multiple groups, we’re aiming to get high school students onto an active job site to begin learning about construction science.
For our portion of this program, Habitat for Humanity of Lake Sumter will provide the job site, professional supervision, and all materials and equipment needed to build. Our extensive experience in home construction as well as our personnel and equipment will simplify the process for schools and students. This helps ensure they can focus on the educational aspects of the program while we handle the back end. In conjunction with our site supervisor, we will also have experienced volunteers working alongside the students to provide extra help and engagement.
By creating and maintaining partnerships with local schools, Habitat is able to ensure that students receive an on-site instruction that is matched in the classroom. This curriculum will cover a large range of topics relating to construction science, site safety, laws and regulations, and more. This curriculum also ensures that upon successful graduation from the program students are able to receive a recognized certificate of completion. This certificate, and the backing schools behind it, will hold weight and legitimacy with potential employers, assuring them that the student is familiar with the industry and ready to begin their career.
Habitat’s entire mission is built on the support of the community. Without it, needs are left unmet and communities are not able to grow. By not just teaching students how to build but giving them a reason to, the mission is able to carry on into future years. This program will address both community and individual needs, through home building and skills training, and the effect of both will lead to a stronger community.