Handing Over the Keys

Students finish home for adults with disabilities

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 | By: Daley-Hinkens, Carmelyn M

Four adults are getting ready to make a big move this summer.

They will relocate to a new home specifically constructed for them by students in the Residential Building Construction program. The one-story, four-bedroom home in Neenah includes specifications and adjustments that make it mobility-friendly for its residents.

A total of 32 students in the program worked on the house since the ground was broken in May of 2023. They learned valuable skills in homebuilding but also were the first group of students to build a home of this kind.

“A standard vanity isn’t going to be the standard one,” instructor Ben Fouts explains when pointing out how this project is different. “We’re going to make sure that somebody can wheel underneath it and be able to turn out without having to back out; things like that, we’re making sure is convenient.”

“I think it’s so cool that the house we’re building is for people with disabilities,” says student Justin Golesh. “There are not a lot of contractors who would know the specifications that are necessary to make the little adjustments to fit their situation. I appreciate that the first time I’m working on a full-scale project, start to finish, it is a house for those with disabilities.’

The home was built as a partnership project between FVTC, Winnebago County and Covey, an organization providing respite care and disability services in the Fox Valley.

“It’s a challenge for anyone to purchase a home and it is an impossibility for most of the individuals we serve,” says Pam Schutz, CEO of Covey. “This puts them in a situation where they have a safe, comfortable, affordable place to live.”

A special ribbon-cutting event was held earlier this month where guests could tour the newly-finished home. Guests included students who worked on the home plus the residents, who were able to see their new place for the first time. The event also welcomed Dan Hereth, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Check out the gallery below.