Ground was broken on Old Leonard Ave as Fort Hayes Career Center students, under the collaborative wing of Columbus City Schools (CCS), the City's Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS), and Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio, began the construction of the first of two homes for local families in need. The ceremony witnessed city officials, educators, and residents commingling as the students embarked on this real-world educational endeavor. "This empty lot will become a home for a deserving Columbus family—a home that they can be proud to call their own," Dr. Angela Chapman, Superintendent/CEO of Columbus City Schools, said in a statement obtained by Columbus City Schools.
Initiated in 2022, the partnership aimed to introduce students to the construction trades, offering a variety of hands-on experiences from "BZS Day" events to internships. As the program took a larger shape in 2024 with additional partnerships, students found themselves engaged in not just practice builds, but actual homes on city-owned lots. Scott Messer, the Director of BZS, underscored the value of such engagement, "Students are going to be able to participate and learn their construction trades on a real project where a house is actually getting built," as mentioned on the CCS website.
Expressing the educational ethos of the project, Brandi Braun AL-Issa, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio, described the undertaking as "a living laboratory where students will get hands-on construction experience." Throughout the construction process, Fort Hayes students will be actively involved in foundational work, framing, and installation, gaining practical understanding as they advance through these phases. Testimonies to the effectiveness of experiential learning are evident in the stories of students like Amilleonna "Millie" Golden, a carpentry student who saw the project as making her dream of making a difference a reality. She was quoted as saying, "The Habitat for Humanity house project is making that dream come true.I’m excited to help make a change," in an interview with Columbus City Schools.
The community's response to this initiative exemplifies a collective effort towards constructive change. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther lauded the collaborative success, emphasizing the proximity to Fort Hayes and the ability for students to witness the tangible results of their labor. This was echoed by Jayden Ashford, a recent Fort Hayes graduate now a trainee with BZS, who felt "awestruck" by the project's materialization. "These students will come and learn real skills and actually feel like they are making a difference with what they’re doing," Ashford told Columbus City Schools.
The significance of these projects extends beyond construction, as noted by Columbus Board of Education President Michael Cole, framing the students' work as imbued with vision and heart. "Every cut of wood, every wall framed, [and] every nail that is hammered is preparing you for a future career," Cole stated, as detailed by the CCS website, highlighting the far-reaching implications of the project. As the Hollins family, future residents of the first home, stood by during the announcement, this venture was recognized not just as a means of providing shelter, but as something instilling stability, opportunity, and hope in the community.
