MILWAUKEE — Several local groups are working together to rehab tax-foreclosed homes in Milwaukee. The joint effort is giving college students and job seekers a unique opportunity while making Milwaukee neighborhoods better in the process.
"Oh this experience has been awesome. It's given me the opportunity to get some hands-on experience," said Andrea Robinson.
Andrea Robinson is part of a pre-apprenticeship program through the Social Development Commission, an organization trying to reduce poverty and get people jobs. The SDC Job Developer believes the skills this group learns while helping rehab the home near Holton and Center will land them a job.
"The students who participate now have the opportunity to utilize this home as their work experience," said Courtney Kelly.
Jalin Phelps with JCP Construction is the one guiding the students through the rehab process.
"Just trying to show them the overall process of construction versus just looking in a book and seeing the blueprint and then seeing a house," said Jalin Phelps.
Over at Milwaukee Area Technical College, architectural technology students like Brahayant Torres are working on a rendering of the house.
"It's really exciting because we can get hands-on experience and then deal with things that we're going to deal with in the future," said Brahayant Torres.
MATC Associate Dean of Apprenticeship and Trade said the home gives students a place to learn outside the classroom.
"Having an actual rehab house where students can come out and get real-life project-based learning is awesome and it also gives them a tool to use when they're going out to seek jobs," said David Polk
MATC real estate students will step in once the home is ready to sell.
"It's used holistically as a project-based learning model," said Polk.
If you're interested in helping donate items for the home project, click here.
