CMU students, faculty and staff continue their partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County
Throughout western Colorado, and across the country, housing costs have risen dramatically in recent years. Addressing the affordable housing crisis requires both sustained action over time, and immediate action today.
Colorado Mesa University students, faculty and staff are working to address this issue through a combination of hands-on, project-based learning and acts of service in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County (HFH).
Last year, CMU Tech Technical Instructor Mike Mahoney partnered with HFH and hosted a competition dubbed “Built by Mavericks”, in which drafting students submitted blueprints for a potential HFH home project and a chance to win a $500 prize. Two CMU Tech students’ plans were selected and are currently in the process of being built to help provide more affordable housing in the community.
This past July and August, members of the Office of Academic Affairs, Student Services, Facilities Services, the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Alumni Board of Directors, CMU Tech administration, the CMU Tech Allied Health Program, the Athletic Training Program, The Maverick Store employees and members of the CMU Tech Western Colorado Peace Officer Academy (POST) all helped with the build.
At a recent volunteer build day, POST cadet Kristina Onishchenko said, “The reason why volunteering for a project like this is important to me is because it is a fantastic representation of what giving back to your community really looks like. Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity not only was fun but also eye-opening about how much these acts of service can change the lives of people living in the community.”
A second opportunity to assist with building a HFH client's home, who also selected a CMU Tech house plan, will begin in September.
Together, the MAVily is bringing CMU’s mission to life and is using its power to build a model of the world we want to create.
To learn more about the “Built by Mavericks” project and other Habitat for Humanity developments, contact Mesa County’s Habitat for Humanity office at 970.255.9850 or visit habitatmesa.org.