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At first glance, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton’s mission and the Occupational Work Experience (OWE) movement may not seem connected. But in recent years, our affiliate has discovered powerful ways to partner with local alternative schools, creating hands-on projects that serve students and families alike. Currently, we’re collaborating with two Miami Valley OWE partners and preparing to launch a third this fall. One of those partnerships was celebrated recently during an end-of-school-year open house at our Dayton house rehab project with Liberty High School and its YouthBuild program.

This collaboration not only expands affordable housing; it also deeply impacts the students involved. “Purpose must be meaningful, and that’s why the partnership with Habitat works so well,” said Jerry Farley, Executive Director of YouthBuild and VP of Career Tech Education for Oakmont Education. “A build like this gives students an ‘I can give back’ attitude. They are contributing, not taking. They gain pride, they show up for school more, and they begin to see construction as a viable career that can support their families.”

YouthBuild supports students well beyond the classroom, boasting a 90% job placement rate after graduation and continued one-year mentoring with long-term retention also above 90%. Its four pillars, healing, creating hope, workforce development, and placement/support, guide students as they shift from survival mode to building hopeful futures. “Until you get someone to believe that tomorrow will be better, they’ll stay in survival mode,” Jerry explained. “But when you start healing wounds, you create hope, and that inspires hard work for a better tomorrow.”

The impact of Dayton Habitat’s mission extends to YouthBuild staff as well. Audrey Hardy, now a placement specialist and job coach, is a Habitat homeowner. Today, her daughter has graduated from Liberty High School, trained and employed in construction. “We are building people one brick at a time,” Audrey said. “We tell students, ‘Success looks like you.’ Even when it’s tough to believe, we encourage them to say it until they believe it.”

Guy LaPlante, Liberty’s construction manager for the past six years, has seen the benefits firsthand. “This program teaches stability, reliability, and loyalty,” he said. “Every contractor has their own way, so we start with fundamentals. That’s why this Habitat project is perfect. There’s demo, framing, and more hands-on experience. The kids love it. But the real impact is the community service and making someone else’s life better. That breathes life into them.”

Seventeen-year-old Jae’Shawn Mackey-Clements, a first-year Liberty student, echoed that sentiment. “This program has shown me how to move with purpose,” he said. “I’ve learned the value of being on time, being ready to work, and putting my best foot forward. What drew me most was the staff’s commitment. If they’re asking us to be committed, they’re committed too.”

Living in a challenging Dayton neighborhood, Jae’Shawn has found hope in the program. “You can’t let your surroundings dictate your future. You’ve got to see it and believe it. You’ve got to trust in God, that whatever situation you’re in, He’ll get you through it.”

If you want to join Dayton Habitat’s mission as a donor, volunteer, or homeowner, visit daytonhabitat.org or call 937-586-0860.