The New Castle Career Center (NCCC) focuses on teaching real-world skills that lead to real-world success. Recently, the Building Trades students brought this to life through a meaningful partnership with Hagar’s Hope, Inc.
Hagar's Hope offers transitional support and safe, stable housing for women facing significant life changes. Jamie Owens, Director of Hagar's Hope, explained, "Our main goal is to provide safe, stable housing for women as they navigate changes in their lives. While most of our clientele are women in addiction recovery or returning to the community after incarceration, we support women in any kind of life transition, including leaving sex trafficking, divorce, and long-term hospital stays."
The Collaborative Effort to Rehabilitate Williams' House
Owens reached out to the Career Center with an urgent need for help with Williams' House, a home donated to Hagar’s Hope. Owens noted that the house "had fallen into disrepair and required a total rehab from the roof to the floor joists."
Mackenzie Jackson, Director of NCCC, saw a great opportunity for collaboration. "Jamie Owens from Hagar’s Hope reached out to the Career Center with an exciting project opportunity," Jackson said. "Partnering together, we are contributing to the development of a home that will provide vital support for women in our community. This collaboration not only allows our students to apply their skills in meaningful ways but also strengthens the impact we can make when schools and community organizations work side by side.”
Building Trades Students Step Up To Help
For Hagar’s Hope, essential safety repairs for the exterior were a priority. This is where the NCCC Building Trades students stepped in, applying their skills to make a difference. The students focused on critical safety tasks, such as repairing a retaining wall and sidewalk to ensure safety for volunteers and future residents. They also spread gravel in the parking area.
Building Trades instructor Don Criswell generously allowed the use of his personal equipment for the project. This saved money that would have been spent on equipment rental.
Owens emphasized the importance of the students' work for the non-profit: “Like most nonprofits, we are operating on a shoestring budget. With the extensive renovations required for the structure itself, I was pretty stressed about the concrete work that needed to be done to ensure everything is safe. The work of the Career Center students allowed us to have this necessary task completed very affordably. It was also a privilege to see those young men out there supporting our organization and women in our community.”
Building a Better Future Together
For the students, this partnership is a valuable part of their education. As students actively work on this project, they gain valuable hands-on experience while learning more about the services offered by this nonprofit organization. In addition to this collaboration, students from NCCC’s Property Management may also have the opportunity to contribute, further expanding the partnership between Hagar’s Hope and the Career Center.
This project demonstrates the Career Center’s commitment to teaching professional skills while fostering a sense of community responsibility.
Both organizations look forward to continuing this beneficial relationship. Owens stated, "We look forward to future projects with the Career Center." Jackson encouraged all community members to support the mission: "We encourage community members to connect with Jamie Owens at Hagar’s Hope and get involved in this wonderful contribution to our community.”
To learn more about the Building Trades program at NCCC, visit https://www.nccareercenter.org/o/nccc/page/building-trades.