Vol, 7, No. 20: May 27, 2008		Get SEAchange by email

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4. House-building students in Hartford partner with Rotary to great success

Rotary International has discovered the success of VISION, the home-building project at Hartford Union High School (HUHS), and is producing a video to suggest the idea to other Rotary Clubs.

Students in VISION complete nearly every aspect of the home-building process—architectural and interior design, carpentry and cabinet-making, painting and siding, roofing and landscaping. Marketing classes help sell the student-built home each year. Students with disabilities are involved. Even the TV production class plays a role—they edit instructor John Lonergan's footage into a video memento for the students.

In fact, the students handle everything except the jobs that require a licensed contractor, like electricity or plumbing—and one other thing: financing. That's where the Hartford Rotary Club comes in. Rotary members lent money to buy the lot for VISION's first house in 1992, funds which were repaid once the home was sold. Now, each year's proceeds go toward financing next year's project, with the Rotary covering the remaining expenses for the lot, the materials, and necessities like tools and maintenance of a truck.

"Our board and administration are very supportive," says Lonergan. "They know that it's a great partnership between the school and the community, and a great opportunity for the students … We're always looking for ways to tie in real-life situations with learning. This is one the Rotary believes in, and the Hartford community wholeheartedly supports it."

The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce has supported VISION, providing publicity within the business community.

The project was initiated by the Hartford Rotary. The acronym VISION was chosen to stand for "Vocational Instruction Supporting Individual Occupational Needs." Retired HUHS carpentry teacher Art Luthi became the leader of the project at the high school.

The program is now directed by Lonergan, who says graduated students often stop by the open houses at the end of the year. He estimates that 75 to 80 percent of former VISION students now work in the construction field in some way.

This article was suggested by a SEAchange subscriber. Submit your own idea in an email to benson.gardner@dpi.wi.gov, with the words "SEAchange story idea" in the subject line. We are looking for exciting education programs, promising practices, initiatives that could benefit from publicity, or even topics that just pique your curiosity.

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Last updated on 5/27/2008