Our team has a deep connection to education and advancing opportunities for students in our community. We have a special connection to Elkhorn Area School District as my wife, Jill, has taught in the district for over 25 years and all three of my sons have graduated from EASD. It is very important to our entire team to give back to a district that cares deeply about each student and staff member.
Earlier this year, Chris Trottier, Director of School to Work Opportunities approached us with the opportunity to partner with them to create a unique learning experience for their students. After gaining funding in 2020, through the Department of Labor YouthBuild grant, EASD was able to create a program for students pursuing experience in the construction trades.
Elkhorn YouthBuild has been involved in many projects, most notably, working with Habitat for Humanity Walworth County to build a single-family home in Whitewater. They've also been busy working on other projects around Walworth County including work with the Lake Geneva Ministries Camp and with the Kettle Moraine Land Trust.
In early 2024, Trottier presented us with a concept for a project for students to build an outdoor learning space at the Elkhorn Area Middle School (EAMS). The idea for the EAMS Pavilion came in April 2021 when the school board developed a plan for additional outdoor learning spaces as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic by strategically planning how and where kids learn.
Sugar Creek Lutheran Church joined the efforts as part of their 100th Anniversary celebration and giving back to the community with a $100,000 donation towards the project!
During the project, Stebnitz Builders will assist the students in the framing of the roof structure for the pavilion and the placement of the truss systems. We are joined by several other local businesses that will allow the students to experience a construction project from start to finish.
"The Elkhorn Area School District values work-based learning experiences as an integral outcome for all students. Without strategic partnerships and relationships, our students would be employed in traditional high school jobs. As a result of our relationships with local employers and economic development organizations, our students complete job shadows, employer visits, hands-on career-related symposiums, and Youth Apprenticeships. These experiences shift their employment from a job to an authentic career-connected learning experience!"
Chris Trottier, Elkhorn Area School District Director of School to Work Opportunities on the importance of support from local businesses.
Thanks to support from local organizations, small businesses, and our school district, the workforce in our area has a bright future!