Habitat for Humanity GWR Recognizes LATI Building Trades Department
Lake Area Technical College was recently honored at Habitat for Humanity – South Dakota’s annual Supporter of the Year banquet held at Chef Dominique’s in Sioux Falls. LATI is one of many local organizations, businesses and individuals that supports Habitat for Humanity Greater Watertown Region.
Lake Area Technical College’s Building Trades instructors and students were awarded Habitat for Humanity Greater Watertown Region’s Supporter of the Year for their dedication to the mission of Habitat for Humanity.
The volunteer efforts provided by this group has been invaluable to carrying out Habitat’s mission of providing simple, decent affordable homes. The students and instructors are willing to take on any project asked of them. Lake Area Technical College is a huge asset to the Watertown Community and Habitat for Humanity Greater Watertown Region is honored to be able to work with such a talented group.
It is a true partnership between Habitat and LATI as the students get a hands on opportunity to learn the building trade and make an impact on a family within our community, and Habitat for Humanity is able to get much closer to moving a family into their new home.
The purpose of the annual celebration is to inform, inspire and invest. In the past 12 months, the 11 Habitat affiliates in South Dakota completed the construction of 26 new homes. Habitat affiliates reached an additional 55 families through the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative and the A Brush With Kindness Program. By the end of 2014, Habitat for Humanity had built 478 homes in South Dakota. Those homes are valued at $60.5 million. The volunteer investment in local communities in South Dakota per year is over $1,656,000. And most importantly, Habitat homeowners in South Dakota paid over $725,000 in property taxes in 2014.
Ten businesses/individuals were recognized for their contributions to Habitat for Humanity. Without their support, local affiliates would be unable to provide affordable housing for families in need. To learn more about Habitat’s work in your local community, contact Habitat for Humanity Greater Watertown Region at 605 – 884-0366 or habitat@iw.net.
(Information provided by Habitat for Humanity)
Pictured from left are LATI BTT student Jerry Locke; LATI BTT Instructor Kevin Thiesen; and LATI BTT student Riley Potter; State Senator and Habitat for Humanity State Board President Scott Parsley; LATI Dean of Academics Kim Bellum; Theresa Schake, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Greater Watertown Region; and Barbara Pierson, Habitat for Humanity Greater Watertown Region board member.
