On Thursday, April 14th, Rancho Sahuarita hosted Habitat for Humanity Tucson at Club Rancho Sahuarita for a mixer benefiting the school build program at the Sahuarita Unified School District. Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Pima Alliance and the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, over 75 guests attended to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Tucson’s impact on Sahuarita and the local community.
“Habitat for Humanity plays a crucial role in our community by bringing people together to build homes for those in need. We are glad to play a small role in sharing their mission with the Rancho Sahuarita community,” said Jeremy Sharpe, Vice President of Community Development for Rancho Sahuarita.
Habitat for Humanity Tucson, in partnership with the Sahuarita Unified School District, continues to make an impact on the Sahuarita community. The two have been working together to provide Sahuarita High School students with a unique Joint Technical Education Program (or JTED).
The students at Sahuarita High School are able to complete a carpentry class, which by the end of the year, will help lead to the completion of a house. The students learn residential and commercial construction processes, including house framing, electrical wiring, plumbing, stucco preparation, dry walling, sheet rocking, roofing, finishing, taping and window and door installation.
After completing the program himself in high school, Adrian Morales is the current instructor of the SHS carpentry course. “Personally I am excited for the completion of the 15th house and getting the opportunity to begin a 16th home,” Morales said. “The most exciting part for me, as the instructor, is what you’re seeing when it is just the beginning. The vision is where the excitement and enthusiasm comes from!”
The students aren’t the only ones who get to see the benefits of this program. In the past, Habitat homes have been locally sponsored and built. In addition to the school built home, many other houses are built by volunteers and by its future owners.
VanHook, Habitat for Humanity Tucson‘s Chief Executive Officer, commented on the program, “This is the 15th house with the Sahuarita schools. Working with the Sahuarita community for nearly 25 years is a real long term commitment, and we are grateful for the partnership.” The collective positive impact that Habitat for Humanity has had on the community over the years will surely continue to drive the success of the program moving forward.