The Housing/Construction Program is an outgrowth of the Parish’s holistic response to the immediate effects of poverty in the community, and at the same attempts to advance the skill-levels of the community, so that people can earn a living for family sustenance and care. Adult education, skill training and development, agricultural experimentation and development as well as scholarships for continued education – all are seen as integral features of the Education program.

 

Since the 1980’s Julio Morales has been quietly working with young men having trouble with drugs or alcohol, providing guidance and direction – and the opportunity to learn a trade. Julio began to provide the young men with access to an apprenticeship program with the carpenters, welders, stone masons, plumbers, or electricians.

Skills Development:
As the apprenticeship program is an integral part of the greater housing/construction effort within the Parish, it was not difficult for the young men to become involved. In fact, nearly 90% of the Parish’s work force is made up of apprentices.

Twelve master-tradesmen, themselves having learned through the apprenticeship program, are on the job full-time. The job responsibility of the master tradesmen is to supervise the overall construction according to strict structural guidelines, as well as oversee the learning and development of the apprenticeships on the job. 

The opportunity to learn a trade and develop a skill is available to any young person who is willing to make the effort, follow the rules, and earn an adequate salary, with which they can help out in the home as well as continue in school if so desired.

 

When the skill sought is well in hand, the young man is able to move off and become more independent, offering his skill to a more formal construction company working on contract. Or, as is often the case, he is able to find small jobs where his skills are needed either in San Lucas or in surrounding communities.

 

The kinds of jobs offered through the apprenticeship program work out well for those participating. They can be planned and accomplished around the agriculture work seasons giving the young man an opportunity to work in the field with his father and/or grandfather, learning about and helping produce the basic foods needed by the family as well as the high quality coffee that can be sold for a very good price in the parish coffee program.

 

Using this method, our houses, community centers, churches, and schools are built principally by young men learning skills of stone-cutting, masonry, carpentry, welding, plumbing and electricity – earning a living and learning a trade for personal benefit and for the benefit of their families.