TSTC staff members participate in Waco Habitat for Humanity Women Build 2024

(WACO, Texas) –  Several women from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus donned hard hats and pink T-shirts to participate in the Waco Habitat for Humanity Women Build 2024 on Friday, June 21.

The volunteers worked at a home under construction at 2807 Flint Ave. in Waco. The project began on June 8 and is scheduled to be completed in nine months. Once finished, it will belong to Waco residents J.C. Valera and his wife, Claudia Rivas, and their two children.

TSTC employees worked to set 11 roof trusses. Habitat for Humanity construction staff guided the women on how to lift and position the trusses.

“It’s important that TSTC is a good community partner,” said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus and a Women Build participant. “Habitat for Humanity is such a worthy cause, and it does meaningful work in the community.”

Madelynne Johnston, a TSTC senior advisor to the executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer, climbed a ladder and used a screw gun to secure small pieces of plywood to roof trusses to space them out when on top of the house. She said the work that all of the women did at the site had a purpose.

“I like being outside and doing hands-on work,” Johnston said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing everyone take care of each other.”

Julie Threlkeld, program team lead for TSTC’s Building Construction Technology, Electrical Construction, and Solar Energy Technology programs, has previous experience as a construction project manager for refitted and remodeled commercial buildings. She said it was her first time working with roof trusses.

Threlkeld said she enjoyed seeing the teamwork among the women.

“It’s very rewarding to share this time with the other women from TSTC and serve with a servant’s heart,” she said.

John Alexander, executive director of Waco Habitat for Humanity, said the group did tremendous work in the heat.

“It’s investing in a family that makes a lifelong difference,” he said.

Waco Habitat for Humanity is currently building four houses in the city.

Habitat for Humanity is an international nonprofit organization created in 1976 and has a presence in all 50 states and 70 nations, providing affordable and quality housing to people who need it. The organization is based in Americus, Georgia.

For more information on Waco Habitat for Humanity, go to wacohabitat.org.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.