On July 26, Kerry Ronson and her son, Brendon, were handed the keys to their new, wheel chair accessible home on Edmonton Street in London.

Fanshawe College students and faculty in the Architectural Technology and Carpenter Apprenticeship programs volunteered to work on this project and were involved from the design phase to completion of the home.

This was the third build for our Carpentry students and the first time the Architectural Technology students were involved. The home, designed by the student team of Joel Foster, Thomas Ritchie and Rob Wilkins, required extra considerations to make it fully accessible for Brendon. They developed a few potential designs before Christmas and completed construction drawing for the project in early January. All three were on co-op work terms and worked on this project on weekends and after work.

“Working with Habitat for Humanity was a real eye-opening experience,” said Foster. “It was a great look at what my chosen field of study would offer me. Having the opportunity to help a family in need is a feeling like nothing else. Seeing a house design develop from paper to completed house, and seeing the joy on the faces of the family members when they moved in will be embedded in my memory forever.”

The home was framed by our second-level Carpentry Apprenticeship students in four and a half days.

“Working with Habitat was a great opportunity for our students and a project providing permanent, real-life jobsite experience,” said Steve Laing, coordinator of the Carpenter Apprenticeship program. “This teaching tool cannot be duplicated in the classroom or lab and our students were eager to participate.”

Jeff Duncan, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Oxford, Middlesex, Elgin, thanked the sponsors and volunteers. “We were so impressed with Fanshawe College and their willingness and ability to give so much to this project,” he said. “The dedication of all our partners and volunteers for this build has ensured that the Ronson family has a safe, decent and affordable place to live.”

Plans are underway for the Carpentry students to work on Habitat's fourth building later this year.