Carpentry Students Gain Work Experience in Partnership with The Salvation Army

Thirty students put their construction skills to use at The Salvation Army Officer quarters in Belleville over the last five weeks. The innovative partnership between The Salvation Army, Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf had students build a new deck off the back of the house.

The construction project for both hearing and non-hearing students provided on the job woodworking and carpentry training for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students, who also trimmed bushes and trees, tended to the garden, and mowed the lawn on The Salvation Army property.

“The students did an amazing job on the deck and in landscaping the property. It makes a difference in their training to be able to work on a major project for a customer,” says Major Wil Brown-Ratcliffe from The Salvation Army Belleville Citadel. “They did such a great job, and I was so pleased to be able to help out these young students looking to develop their carpentry skills.”

The existing deck was in bad shape and in need of replacement, so the students took the deck down and started from scratch. A sign language interpreter facilitated communication between hearing and non-hearing students and their teacher, Mark Almeida. It was Mark who learned of the need for a new deck through Church member Andy Virtue.

“Because we are not allowed to charge for labour, the school provided the workforce and The Salvation Army paid for the materials. If we can do a construction job and provide a service to a customer, it is a win-win for both parties,” Mark says.

The students are looking to take on new construction projects in Belleville, including decks, sheds, fences, or trellises. As with The Salvation Army project, labour is free, with the customer paying for materials. Anyone interested can contact Mark at almemark@alcdsb.on.ca.