DACC Construction Student Club Helps Homeless
Not only are they getting a grade for it, but they’re also helping the lives of others around them.
The New Mexico Mobile Newsroom got a look Thursday at the single person shelters at the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.
The students, who are with the Doña Ana Community College (DACC) Construction Industries Student Club, built the shelters to shield the homeless from extreme weather at the tent city called Camp Hope.
The Student Club and several DACC classes provide the labor to construct the structures. In total, more than 20 students per semester are involved in the effort. The shelters are constructed at the DACC Workforce Center, and then transported and installed at Camp Hope.
The three sided 8 foot x 10 foot buildings are built to city and state code and will withstand all types of weather including cold, heat, wind, rain and snow. So far, four structures have been installed, two will be installed this spring and eventually 35 structures will help keep residents protected from the desert climate.
“It’s a big difference. It cuts down on the wind, the rain don’t beat on you or anything,” said Shannon Barwick, a resident at Camp Hope. “The temperature difference is a big difference. A 20-degree difference in temperature and stuff. When the wind blows, it rocks those tents.”
Kevin Gall, Director of the Construction Trades program, said, “by constructing these shelters students get hands on experience, learn a trade and give back to their community.”
“This project has been an amazing collaboration with the Dona Ana Community College, to have hands-on change for people’s lives,” said Nicole Martinez, Director of the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope. “It’s been great seeing the students get the grades that they need, learn the technical skills that they can take forward.”
She added, “at the same time they’re getting to meet people who are here at the camp who might have a life situation that they haven’t been familiar with, and that they are seeing a visible change that they have a hand in.”
The structures help provide protection and prolong the life of the tents. Each structure cost about $750 to build. Out of the 45 tent pads, how many will be filled remains to be seen. It depends on DACC and the funding.
The materials for construction of these shelters come from donations to the Community of Hope. Several finders from the community have come forward to donate.
“It’s just really bought dignity to the camp, improve the lives of the tents themselves and the people who are here,” said Martinez. “We know that by providing Camp Hope that, that in itself doesn’t end homelessness but it’s one step closer to doing that. Until we have enough vouchers, housing and affordable housing for everyone, then this is the best that we can do and will continue to improve upon that and we feel like that that resonates with the residents here.
The Mesilla Valley Community of Hope offers different services to assist clients in getting back on their feet and off the streets. Case managers provide referrals to other agencies to obtain help, such as the Veteran’s Administration, the Social Security Administration, mental health care providers and local income support centers.
