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Mater dei catholic high school students build homes, serve others

Mater Dei students build homes through class work and service.

The Mater Dei Building Trades program began in 1980-1981. Since that time, 27 houses have been built by the students, with the 28th under construction. Mater Dei faculty member Tom Hustedde has been the teacher/supervisor since 1986.

At the end of the school year, when the house is finished, the students who helped construct the house, the homeowner, and special guests, attend the house blessing. The homeowner is then presented with a blessed crucifix from Mater Dei.

In 2008, seven building trades students did their senior service project helping Habitat for Humanity homeowners finish the inside of their new homes. The students traveled to Mt. Vernon each day during the three weeks in January and worked six hours a day to help the new homeowners.

The houses constructed by students are paid for by the home owner, as are the lots. The class teaches different building trades to students who might be interested in construction as a career.