Since 1991, VB Homes has served as the lead partner for the Building Futures House Construction Project sponsored by the Virginia Beach Schools Education Foundation.
Through this initiative, students and faculty from the Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center work together each year to construct a succession of single family homes. Profits from the sale of each house fund Building Futures grants for teachers.
Over 100 community and business partners, including VB Homes, provide generous financial, material and in-kind resources for the effort. We are pleased to coordinate the project, provide architectural and site plans, and mentor over 100 students during each 18-month house building cycle. “In this way, we are helping to train a future work force from the ground up, while providing students with a leg up as they enter the job market and sit for trade-related exams,” explains VB Homes partner Chris Ettel.
According to lead teacher on the project, Tony Pawlowski, Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center, “The services we receive from VB Homes are invaluable. Without the help of Chris and his staff, this project wouldn’t be the success it is. I don’t know of anyone else who is willing to take on an 18-month construction job that reaps no financial reward for his company. We are very fortunate to have them on board.”
In 2004, the project was recognized with a National Civic Star Award, sponsored by Sodexho USA’s School Services Division and AASA (American Association of School Administrators).
