Student Renovation at Historical Site Contributes to Community

It took two years of construction, three technical high schools and four trade areas to renovate the “Michelle House”, a first-of-its kind resource center for Connecticut residents afflicted with sickle cell anemia. The Michelle House, named after former First Lady      Michelle Obama, plans to open in New Haven in early 2019.

“The objective of this project, by and large, is to address the educational challenges that many young people with sickle cell anemia face,” said Jim Rawlings, Chairman of the Southern Connecticut Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
Through CTECS’s Student Workforce Program, the Association hired Platt Tech HVAC; Emmett O’Brien Tech HVAC; and Eli Whitney Tech plumbing, electrical and carpentry shops to assist in the building repairs. The Workforce Program allows students to work on real projects for real customers and gain hands-on career development experience.

“We need these opportunities for students to apply theory to practical experience,” said Pat Ciarleglio, CTECS Architecture and Construction Education Consultant. “Plus we are giving back to the community. It’s a win-win.”

The Michelle House – a three-story, 100-year-old building – was uninhabitable when the Association first stepped foot in the door.

“It was a complete gut job,” said Salvatore Lombardo, Eli Whitney’s Carpentry Department Head. “The structure was really bad, we had to replace it. I knew the kids could handle it, but I didn’t know how well they were going to accept it.”

According to Lombardo and the other trade instructors, the student’s thrived.
“I was impressed with the work we were capable of doing,” said Eli Whitney carpentry student Roc’ki Stanley. “Before this job, I didn’t know how to take a house apart and put it back together…I feel much more confident now, and I feel good that I’m giving back to the community.”
“There is a lot of prep work before students set foot on a job site,” said Lombardo. “We watch instructional videos, work out the math, look at blueprints and become familiar with the use of certain tools.”

While the technical trade instructors were there to oversee each step of the process, students were responsible for completing the renovation work, which included demolition, removing rotting studs, framing walls, building new floors, wiring furnaces and thermostats, installing lighting and outlets, fabricating ductwork that would adequately heat and cool two floors, running gas lines, and more.

“Everything was installed by our students under really tough conditions – frigid temperatures at times,” said Domenic Lemma, Platt’s HVAC Department Head. “It gave them a good feel for what they are going to encounter on a real job site.”

Lombardo emphasized that safety is a top priority on and off the job site. Every student is required to take a 10-hour OSHA training course that teaches workplace safety and job site hazards.

“I was really proud of them,” said Lemma. “With hands-on practice and demonstrations at school, students were able to take what they learned into the real world.”

CTECS Student Workforce offers a wide range of services to the public at a fraction of the market price. To schedule a service from any of our Student Workforce Departments, visit www.cttech.org/ about/student-workforce.html.

To learn more about the Michelle House and the Southern Connecticut Sickle Cell Disease Association of America visit www.scdaaofsouthernct.org.