Chateauguay Valley Career Education Centre Begins Collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Project
On Thursday, August 25th, the Chateauguay Valley Career Education Centre (CVCEC) launched the “Our House—Notre Maison” project. Working alongside the Municipality of Ormstown, Habitat for Humanity Quebec, and ÉcoHabitation, the New Frontiers School Board and the CVCEC will be building a semi-detached home for two families in Ormstown, Quebec.
David Daoust and Rob Buttars, Chairman and Director General of the New Frontiers School Board respectively, were present at the event, as well as Ormstown Lions’ Club President Bob Campbell, Jeremy Leduc of Priest Construction, Maxime Hemond of the Quebec branch of Habitat for Humanity, Mike Reynolds of Ecohabitation, Ormstown mayor Christian Soucy, Ormstown Director General Jocelyn Madore and Huntingdon MNA Stéphane Billette.
This is the first time that the province of Quebec has been involved in a project of such dimensions. The home is to be built in a modular fashion, on-site at the Chateauguay Valley Career Education Centre, a branch of the New Frontier School Board. When completed, the modules will be transported to the build site and assembled by local contractors, with CVCEC students participating in all aspects of the build. In December, two families will be selected by Habitat for Humanity Quebec—these two lucky families will be able to move into their homes in July 2017. It is an exciting collaboration for both the municipality of Ormstown and Habitat for Humanity Quebec (HHC). According to HHC’s Partners Relations Coordinator Anne Bergeron, “Habitat for Humanity Quebec is thrilled by the partnership with the New Frontier School Board, the first of its kind in the province. While our friends at NFSB are busy building the shell, we are putting all our efforts into finding two families. If you know a low-income family who you think would be a good fit for our program, we encourage you to send them our way. The houses are expected to be delivered in July 2017.” The project will also call upon the expertise of the team at Ecohabitation, a team that, according to their website, is “…dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of homes, through education and advocacy.” Their website provides a resource where Canadian home owners can learn the principles of sustainable building practices, while finding the resources necessary to creating healthier and more energy-efficient homes.
Upon completion of the non-profit residence, CVCEC students will receive certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an area of study that practices implementing different energy saving techniques into the design and construction of the building. Director General of the New Frontiers School Board, Rob Buttars, feels that it is a great opportunity for the students of the CVCEC. "The Our House Project is an example of outstanding collaboration between education and community. This project is showing us that our students, staff, and community are capable of doing some amazing things. This is teamwork at its finest. It's the first of its kind in Quebec and we are so very proud to be involved. We look forward to seeing the progress, and to handing over the keys to the two families who will benefit from this endeavour,” said Buttars of the project.
For more information or to refer a family, please reach out to Habitat for Humanity Quebec at 1-855-937-0643 or visit their website.