(From left): Brett Forsman, Grand Island Senior High School Construction Pathway teacher; and Matt Fisher, Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent, accept the Business Partner of the Year award from Lindsey Jurgens, Executive Director of Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity. (Courtesy photo)
GRAND ISLAND – For over a decade, a unique collaboration has been quietly building the landscape of Grand Island.
Grand Island Public Schools’ Career Pathways Institute (CPI) and the Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity have continued to partner to have construction students build a Habitat house each year.
The partnership not only helps G.I. Area Habitat for Humanity grow its impact, but it also provides great learning opportunities for students.
“This partnership does more than support a hard working family on their path to affordable homeownership,” said Lindsey Jurgens, Executive Director of Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity, “It shapes the next generation of leaders through the hands of experienced students…It’s a collaboration that builds homes, yes, but it also builds character, confidence and connection.”
In recognition of this meaningful partnership and its impact, Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity officially named Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) its Business Partner of the Year at the Build A Dream gala earlier this year.
The honor celebrates a partnership that does more than just provide affordable housing; it serves as a premiere training ground for the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
“We truly believe this partnership with Habitat has helped meet the program goals,” said Brett Forsman, construction pathway teacher at Grand Island Senior High’s Career Pathways Institute. “Students are learning a trade, giving back to the community, opening doors to jobs, and most importantly, a family has the opportunity to own a home right here in Grand Island,” Forsman shared.
The collaboration began in 2015, born from a shift in how the Career Pathways Institute (CPI) approached education. Forsman, who is also a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, recalled how industry partners challenged the school to move beyond the classroom.
“We don’t need students to build cabinets; we don’t need students to be in the lab,” Forsman said, recounting the feedback from local builders. “We need students out pouring concrete footings and foundations. We need students out there in the industry.”
GIPS listened, and the partnership was formed. Since that pivotal shift, juniors in the construction pathway have been stepping onto Habitat job sites to build homes from the ground up.
What starts as a “hole in the ground” ends as a home for a local family, with students learning about and doing every part of the build, alongside professional subcontractors.
Matt Fisher, G.I. Public Schools Superintendent, said how the partnership with Habitat is a win-win for all involved, especially the community.
“A partnership is something that both parties are going to benefit from,” Fisher said. “Being able to impact a family through Habitat’s mission is a benefit to them, but the experience our students have makes this a life-changing partnership for both sides.”
Students gain valuable on-site experience while still in high school, preparing them for the industry and setting them up for future success. In addition to the tangible skills learned through this partnership, students also learn the importance of giving back to the community.
Forsman acknowledged the “full circle” nature of the partnership. Several former GIPS students, who once worked on Habitat sites as teenagers in class, were present in the room as established professionals.
“That’s really what this whole program is about—the students,” Forsman said. “We’ve got former students sitting out here… that’s why we’re here.”