Recently, Southeastern Community College partnered with WarmNC (Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry) for a service-learning project. Service-learning is a teaching and learning method that connects meaningful community service experiences with academic learning. Under the direction of Construction Trades Instructor Chris Cook, students worked to build home decks as a summer project.

In partnership with Columbus County Schools, high school students enrolled in the summer construction camp learned important trade skills, team-building and personal skills development. The students also had the opportunity to earn an OSHA 10-Hour Certification and a SnapOn 525F Multimeter Certification. Construction students were engaged in many hands-on projects like seven picnic tables, 40 corn hole board sets, four storage buildings, and two home decks for WarmNC. Construction students who successfully completed all 12 credit hours also earned SCC’s Introduction to Facilities Maintenance Certificate.

WarmNC is a nonprofit that helps people age in-place. The organization serves low-income homeowners in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Duplin, Onslow, and Pender counties, many of whom are elderly, disabled, and/or veterans.

“This was a great opportunity for our students to connect with their community while in the classroom,” said Chris Cook.