Habitat for Humanity starting apprentice program

May 4—St. Joseph's Habitat for Humanity already assists people in need on their path to homeownership, but now, the organization is giving people a chance to learn home-building skills as well.

Two years ago, the organization applied for American Rescue Plan Act funding to have its ReStore building constructed. In addition to using it as a crisis distribution center, staff also had the vision of using it as an education complex to teach the construction trades, which is now coming to fruition. St. Joseph's Habitat is kickstarting the organization's first-ever apprentice program in the country.

"The program is through the U.S. Department of Labor, and it is also endorsed by the state of Missouri," said Shay Homeyer, Habitat for Humanity executive director. "We're just excited to be able to be the first Habitat in the country to offer this type of program."

Habitat for Humanity was granted the residential carpentry apprentice program in March 2024 and is looking forward to the many benefits it will have on community members.

"It kind of brings full circle what we do here at Habitat," Homeyer said. "We're helping people who couldn't otherwise afford a home on their own the chance at homeownership and at the same time, we're going to be able to teach people here in the community residential carpentry on how to build homes. So, it will help employers here in town and it will help us build more homes and more affordable housing."

The apprentice program is active as of now and will be accepting applications in the weeks ahead following a few final tests needed to see where the program's weaknesses and strengths are.

"We're making sure we do everything to further our program better," Homeyer said. "We're thinking anywhere between three and five people at a time. These are paid apprentice programs, so it will be something that people have to apply for and be selected by a committee of peers to make sure that they'll be successful in this program."

Homeyer recently announced her retirement at Habitat in St. Joseph as she heads to work for the organization in Nebraska, but she has spent years working alongside a group of people who have set key goals for the organization's future to create successful programs like this one, she said.

"Tim Osborn is stepping up into the role, as the interim director, and I assume he will be the director," she said. "There is no better person to fill my shoes. I'm just excited for the staff here to further this legacy, excited about the kids and the young men and women who will go through this program and bring a lot to St. Joseph. As we know, there's a big gap in residential carpentry work and what better platform than to be trained here and further your work in this town."

Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com.