LANE COUNTY, Ore. — Students by the thousands have the opportunity to build their construction skills and build homes for those in need before ever leaving high school.
Team Oregon Build launched in March, and it all started with a desire to help families recover from wildfires.
The Holiday Farm Fire ripped through the McKenzie River Valley in the fall of 2020 leaving behind destroyed properties and displaced families.
"We had people who wanted to help and support these families, and one of the projects we engaged with was called Sheds of Hope," said Jesse Quinn, director of community engagement, Lane Workforce Partnership. "So the students started building sheds for families impacted by wildfire. Through this, we built rapport. We realized that we could evolve and take this program even further which led to the transitional housing units."
It birthed Constructing a Brighter Future through the Lane Workforce Partnership and most recently, Team Oregon Build where 3800 students across Oregon put hammers to nails each week to build transitional housing, storage sheds, and other structures to get the houseless on their feet.
"We have them get their OSHA 10 safety certifications. We also have some industry recognized credentials that they can earn in safety in construction and framing," said Wiebe.
"It's a good back up plan, but if I'm 10 years down the line, and I'm like, man I want a new patio, I can say alright, I'll make it myself," said William Dimitrilegorreta-Pina, senior, North Eugene High School.
One transitional home, with electricity but with no bathroom or running water, costs about $4400.
Those homes go to Everyone Village in Eugene.
Thanks to $2.2 million expansion from the Department of Education earlier this year, the program can take care of costs like these and continue to expand to middle schools.
Thirty-nine schools across the state participate in the program.
Quinn tells us students working with Team Oregon Build have a 90 percent graduation rate.