FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2, 2026

CCS Students Get Hands-On Construction Experience Helping Build New Home with Habitat for Humanity

(COLUMBUS) — Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio is again joining forces with Columbus City Schools to give hands-on experience to Fort Hayes Career Center Construction Trades students. This year the partners will build a home on Gibbard Avenue for a Columbus family thanks to a partnership with the City of Columbus.

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City Council President Shannon Hardin, Columbus City Schools (CCS) Superintendent Angela Chapman, Habitat President and CEO Brandi  AL-Issa, and Building and Zoning Services Director Scott Messer will join students as they break ground for the new house on September 3 at 11 a.m. at 1568 Gibbard Avenue.  

The construction trades students are learning to become electricians, HVAC techs, construction workers, and other skilled tradespersons. This work-based learning opportunity is giving students real-world experience in not only how a home is constructed, but also the industry and regulations behind building safe homes. The home build will also introduce students to Habitat and its efforts to revitalize Columbus neighborhoods and to increase affordable homeownership opportunities.  

“Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio is committed to building what’s next in affordable housing in Central Ohio, and one of the most effective ways to do that is to invest in tomorrow’s leaders. Thanks to partnership with the City of Columbus and Fort Hayes Career Center, students will develop hands-on trade skills by working alongside future Habitat Homeowners to build a home,” said Brandi AL-Issa, Habitat President and CEO. “This collaboration makes one thing clear: connecting families to opportunity via affordable homeownership is a priority in Central Ohio."

This local partnership began three years ago as a summer internship program, and expanded to include interactive career and shadow days, internships, mentorships, and a Trainee program for students to consider becoming City building inspectors.   

“This partnership is opening doors for our young people and another Columbus family,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Fort Hayes students are gaining the skills and hands-on experience that can lead to successful, rewarding careers while helping to build a home where a family can put down roots and create a future of their own. I’m proud of these students and grateful to Columbus City Schools, Habitat for Humanity MidOhio and all our incredible partners who are working together to expand opportunity and strengthen our neighborhoods.”

Habitat for Humanity worked with a local family to get them ready to purchase the home when it is completed.  The house will be built exclusively by students and Habitat contractors on a City Land Bank property.  Construction is expected to take about seven months as Habitat will work around the schools’ academic calendar.  

“This partnership is a wonderful example of what effective College and Career Connected Learning looks like in action,” said CCS Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman. “Our Fort Hayes students are taking what they learn in the classroom and applying it to a real project that will have a lasting impact on a family and neighborhood. Students are developing skills they can carry into high demand jobs and seeing firsthand the difference their work can make. We are grateful to Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, BZS, and our community partners for continuing to create these meaningful opportunities for our students.”

“This partnership shows what happens when Columbus City Schools, the City’s Building and Zoning Services, and Habitat for Humanity build together,” said City Council President Shannon Hardin. “We can create a home for a family today while giving students the skills and experience to become the workforce that will build Columbus tomorrow.”

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Contact:

• Adam Piccin, Columbus City Schools  
  • 380-997-2199  
  • email: apiccin1@columbus.k12.oh.us 
• Cynthia Rickman, City of Columbus
  • 614-266-2146
  • Email: cjrickman@columbus.gov 
• Kate Ames, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio 
  • 740-405-7877
  • Email: kames@habitatmidohio.org