One of the many things that makes Colorado such a special place to call home is the way we look out for each other. After the historic floods of 2013, Coloradans pulled together to help their neighbors, and two years later, our sense of community is as strong as ever.
A project in Fort Collins exemplifies that generous spirit: Students at Poudre High School (PHS) recently raised the first wall of their second Habitat for Humanity home, which they are building for a Fort Collins mother and daughter. But this isn’t just any Habitat project. It’s a cutting-edge program that combines education with a good cause.
About 80 students at PHS are enrolled in Poudre Builds, a unique class that teaches geometry through construction. The students, led by three teachers, take part in one of only six programs nationwide that use the Geometry in Construction model to build a Habitat for Humanity home for a local family. The program uses construction to illustrate the relevance of math to everyday life. Students enroll in back-to-back classes, the first of which teaches geometric fundamentals, and the second of which applies those principles to a real-world construction project.
This is the second home that Poudre High School geometry students have built in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. Last year’s home was moved from the construction site at Poudre High School to its permanent lot in July. It is currently undergoing final detailing before the family takes up residence.
As part of the Habitat for Humanity selection process, future homeowners commit to working for at least 500 hours alongside the students to build their new home. In return, the qualifying individuals receive a no-interest mortgage that does not exceed 30 percent of the family’s gross income. This not only helps the family connect with their new home as it is built, it also provides a vital link between the school system and the community.
Journey Homes is pleased to call Colorado home, and we’re proud of the volunteer spirit that ties Colorado’s residents together. To learn more about us, and to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful communities, please contact Journey Homes today at 970-460-8002 in Northern Colorado, or at 719-648-2914 in Colorado Springs.