Ready to Build
Lorain County JVS showcased students’ talents at the NARI Home Improvement Show.
COUNTY LINE
By Linda Feagler
6 puLse
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VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 1
LORAIN COUNTY JVS
Eye-catching remodeling exhibits weren’t the only attenPainesville Township, he’s just completed his term as presition-getters at the 40th Annual National Association of the dent of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of NARI, and is now Remodeling Industry (NARI) Home Improvement Show, chairperson of the board. As the only nonprofit trade assoheld in March at Cleveland’s Huntington Convention Center. ciation dedicated exclusively to the professional remodeling While adults perused dozens of displays featuring design industry, NARI is made up of 58 chapters around the country trends, kids in attendance made a beeline for the three playknown for being the best resources for knowledge and trainhouses, one of them designed and ing in the remodeling industry. built by 30 junior and 20 senior “One of my goals as president over “ As remodelers and builders, high school students enrolled in the last two years was to support and the more opportunities we can promote workforce development the Building Trades Academy at create for students, the more through our association,” Maltry Lorain County JVS. “Students in our carpentry, heat- we can help them build the says. “I contacted Lorain County JVS, ing and air conditioning, masonry Auburn Career Center and Medina confidence in their abilities and industrial electricity programs County Career Center and broached put their creative and collaborative that will lead to a stronger the idea of each school building workforce.” — Mark Maltry minds together,” says Building something for the show.” Trades Academy supervisor MiMaltry visited each school to talk chelle McClintic, “and the result is extraordinary.” with students about size specifications (each playhouse In addition to a stone facade, the exterior features roof needed to be small enough to be easily and safely transportdecking fashioned to resemble hand-carved logs. But the ed to the show), brainstorm about blueprints and coach them 8-by-12, pint-sized homestead is no “Little House on the Prai- on design nuances. He also procured donations of materials rie.” Walk through the Dutch door and enter an interior filled needed for the playhouses from NARI vendors. with thoroughly modern touches, including heating and “Before I personally met with students, they knew about air conditioning that originates from a unit installed on the the project, were excited about it and already had ideas roof, electricity and LED lighting, USB plugs and a Bluetooth rolling in their minds,” Maltry says. “I simply supported sound system. A ladder leads up to the loft that’s a cozy nook them by being their guide. The overall look was really up for reading, napping or spending time with friends. to them.” “The best part of this project was that it brought four At the conclusion of the show, the three playhouses were different groups of students together,” says McClintic. “They auctioned off to the highest bidder, with proceeds going learned how to coordinate plans and communicate with each toward scholarships for students involved in the project who other in order to be productive in the workplace. These soft wish to pursue careers in home remodeling. skills are so essential for becoming a great employee, and I “As remodelers and builders, the more opportunities we love that fact that the project gave them an opportunity to can create for students, the more we can help them build the continue developing and strengthening them.” confidence in their abilities that will lead to a stronger workMark Maltry agrees. An owner of JEMM Construction in force,” Maltry says.
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