Most homes don’t take five years to rebuild. And, if one did take that long, the timeline likely wouldn’t be something to brag about. But the Carver House isn’t your typical home remodel project.
Located in West Baltimore, the historic row home was rebuilt, literally, from the ground up — the basement at one point was a concrete hole. And it was done by high school students, under the watchful eye of seasoned contractors teaching them trade industry skills.
The nonprofit Requity Foundation bought the home in November 2020, with the goal of bettering the neighborhood around Carver Vo-Tech High School, located across the street, and to help prepare students for careers in trade professions after graduation. In 2022, Requity became an ADT Safe Places partner, receiving funding and mentoring to help further their mission.
Students are taught hands-on construction and carpentry skills inside a small version of the house located inside the school, called the Carver Hut. They then take what they learned and apply it to the construction of the home.
This November, the Carver House is scheduled to be finished, and a former Requity participant will move into the home with his mother.
“This has not been easy,” said Michael Rosenband, Requity’s Founder and Executive Director. “There were challenges around getting control of vacant houses, coordinating with schools, insurance. Seeing the house is one thing, but all of the effort of the people behind it to get to this point is meaningful and inspiring.”
Five years after its purchase, the impact of the Carver House project is apparent throughout the neighborhood.
“When we started, there were nine vacant houses out of 22,” said Rosenband. “The attention of the project has brought in developers to help make improvements to other homes.”
Requity has plans to continue building on its momentum and is securing ownership of another abandoned home nearby.
“We’re excited to apply what we’ve learned and to do this again and impact young people more effectively,” Rosenband said.
Requity participants reflect on growth
Inside a Baltimore pizza restaurant on an early August day, it is easy to see the impact that Requity has had on young adults. Dozens of participants were celebrating the end of a busy summer working on projects in partnership with the city’s YouthWorks program, which provides paid job opportunities for teens while building critical skills.
It was also an opportunity for Requity graduates to reflect on their experiences and growth through the program.
“Requity opened a lot more doors for me,” said Justin Bellamy, Requity participant and Carver Vo-Tech High School graduate. “I never thought I’d see myself in a position like that today. I joined Requity because I wanted to gain more skills and do something that I love. But instead of doing something I love, it turned into something that gave me a purpose.”
“You go into young adulthood more confident and more sure of yourself,” said Anai Saunders, Requity participant and Carver Vo-Tech High School graduate. “You know you can do this if you put your mind to it, because of the skills Requity taught you.”
Building more than walls: Students take pride in their craft
Back at the Carver House, Requity participant and Carver Vo-Tech High School graduate Justin Pittman showed off the work he and other students did.
“You don’t see, every day, 17-year-olds pouring concrete, laying brick or doing advanced construction,” Pittman said. “I took part in everything from painting to framing to taking the trash out. For me, it was a great experience. I feel very accomplished, and I learned a lot.”
“It’s an investment in how we do this, how we teach our young talent,” said Rosenband.
This investment in the future is not lost on the teens who participate in Requity programs.
“It feels very meaningful. Just the fact that I’m a part of something,” Pittman said. “Twenty years from now, 30 years from now, I know this house will still be here and I can randomly ride down this block and say, ‘I made this.’”
Through its continued partnership as an ADT Safe Places partner, Requity has expanded its skills-based training programs beyond construction and into culinary, business and social media fields.
“We’re capable because of our team,” Rosenband said. “Our team is so dedicated, so committed to the community, so committed to the young people and to other team members. That’s the reason we’re able to do what we do.”