BOISE, Idaho — College of Western Idaho is teaming up with Interfaith Sanctuary to offer construction classes for the homeless to help them learn skills to get back on their feet. The goal is to help those individuals get jobs while addressing the shortage of construction workers in Boise.
The classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. for three hours. At the end of the program, students will receive a pass or fail grade and a completion certificate.
“I really hope these guys are able to get somewhere with this and that people who do see them don’t see them as homeless people, but people who want to better their life and accomplish something,” said Ron Alexander, teacher of the course. “They are setting goals to get ahead.”
In the course, students will learn to build four picnic tables. In that process, Alexander said he tries to teach his students that building a picnic table is similar to getting back on track in life.
“In trying to teach them the construction applications, I am also trying to teach them about life applications,” Alexander said.
Alexander said in the process of teaching, he also learns from his students, and learns to see things from a different perspective.
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