Building Futures with Trades Education
Building the Future Through Trades Education
Since 1998, Habitat for Humanity of Wausau has partnered with a variety of schools to provide students hands-on experience in residential construction. Over the years, these partnerships have evolved, with Mosinee High School and DC Everest High School serving as recent build partners. Looking ahead, Habitat Wausau is excited to welcome Merrill High School into the program for the first time with the start of the new school year.
Through these collaborations, students gain not only technical construction skills but also life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. By helping to build safe, affordable homes, they prepare for meaningful careers while making a lasting impact on their community.
For more than 25 years, Habitat Wausau has been building more than homes—we’ve been building futures.
What our partners are saying
D.C. Everest Area School District Said:
“The D.C. Everest District is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Wausau, an organization that provides our students with a unique and valuable hands-on experience in the construction trades. The opportunity to construct a Habitat for Humanity home not only gives our students an opportunity to explore their career interests and build critical skill sets but gives them a profound sense of pride when they realize they can make a positive impact on our community.”
Alex Forer, Owner of Larry Meyer Construction:
“When I hire one of the students, I know their teachers, I know what they’re learning. I know what they’re capable of. There is no other feasible way for these guys to get the kind of experience they do without the Habitat program.”
Aaron Hoffman, D.C. Everest Career and Technical Coordinator and son Drew, Construction Trades student
Aaron: “As the Career and Technical Education Coordinator for D.C. Everest, Aaron Hoffman commented that he’s enjoyed the tremendous partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Wausau for many years. “When my children were young, I would bring them to school on the day we move the home to its permanent location so they could watch the crane in action. This year, I am proud to say that my oldest son is in the class that is building this year’s home! I have no doubt the skills, experience, and industry-standard certifications he is earning in the class will help set him up for success in life! Thank you for your partnership!”
Drew: “This is a great program because it opens up doors to a variety of trades for students; everything from carpentry, electricians, plumbers, and even roofing. Students experience every aspect of building a house, which is useful in deciding on a future career.”
Students in D.C. Everest’s Construction Trades class begin work on Habitat Home #70.
