A group of Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School (SCVTHS) Carpentry students recently assisted a crew from the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity with a home restoration project in Manville.
The house was flooded during Hurricane Ida and the floors on the first level of the home were heavily damaged. The owner had been living in the house, but conditions had deteriorated to the point where it was becoming dangerous to use the first floor rooms, including the living room and the kitchen. Students Alexander Arguello of Hillsborough, Nick DeSan of Bound Brook, Christian Herzog Amantea of Somerset, Logan Russomanno of Bound Brook, and Addison Ziegler of Branchburg, along with Carpentry Instructor Dan LaRue, SCVTHS Supervisor of CTE Robert Carrig, and Cooperative Education Coordinator Gerald Mazzetta, worked with a crew of Habitat employees and volunteers laying subfloor in the home in preparation for installation of new laminate flooring.
“The crew was ready and willing to tackle everything that needed attention, be it the subfloor or any other construction issue” said Mr. LaRue. “Everyone worked as a team, splitting into two groups to tackle the job at hand.”
This project is a continuation of the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and SCVTHS. Students are given the opportunity to put the skills they learn and practice in their classes to use in a real-world environment. Adam Capone, Lead Carpenter for Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, was impressed by the SCVTHS students. “This group is great. It’s like having a team of professional carpenters here. It makes my job very easy. I’m usually swinging a hammer – now I’m just making sure everyone has one.”
An additional benefit of the partnership is that students are able to see how their work can make a difference in the lives of the people that they help. Student Alex Arguello found the experience particularly rewarding. “I find joy in working with my hands, ever since I was a kid. Now working with my hands and helping someone in need? It’s a good feeling.”
For more information about Somerset County Vocational and Technical Schools, please visit www.scvths.org. To find out more about Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, please visit www.rvhabitat.org.
