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Homeless Fullerton students need a home, so these 8th graders are building one

October 10, 2023

To eighth-grader Marina Damitio, building a tiny home for an unhoused family is more than just a regular school assignment — it’s becoming her passion.

At Nicolas Junior High in Fullerton, a woodshop class comprised of 22 eighth-graders has been diving into the world of construction by building a 192-square-foot tiny home that will provide a living space for an unhoused family in the Fullerton School District.

Once completed, the home will be fully furnished, complete with a kitchen, bathroom and living space for around three family members to reside.

The tiny home will serve as a temporary residence for a chosen Fullerton School District student and their family who are receiving assistance from the district under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law meant to support the education of homeless students.

“I absolutely love working on this project,” said Damitio. “Since beginning the process of constructing the home, I have learned so much about how to build something and what it takes to produce something good for a family. It has made me realize that I want to work in construction when I am older.”

Teacher Mucio Vidales, right, checks on Isabella Tapia, left, and Marina Damitio as they work on a 1/12 scale model of a tiny house in wood shop class is building at Nicolas Middle School in Fullerton, CA, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The home will be used as a temporary residence for a student and their family from the district (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Future site of a tiny house being built by wood shop class at Nicolas Middle School in Fullerton, CA, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The home will be used as a temporary residence for a student and their family from the district (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Eight grader Andres Garcia works on a 1/12 scale model of a tiny house in wood shop class is building at Nicolas Middle School in Fullerton, CA, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The home will be used as a temporary residence for a student and their family from the district (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Isabella Tapia, left, and Marina Damitio work on a 1/12 scale model of a tiny house in wood shop class is building at Nicolas Middle School in Fullerton, CA, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The home will be used as a temporary residence for a student and their family from the district (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Eight graders work on a 1/12 scale model of a tiny house in wood shop class is building at Nicolas Middle School in Fullerton, CA, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The home will be used as a temporary residence for a student and their family from the district (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The district is in the process of selecting a family to receive the home, said Jeremy Davis, the assistant superintendent of Innovation and Instructional Support for the district and one of the many leaders on the project, but he is excited for the day they can hand the keys over.

The home will be located on a small strip of land located on the Orangethorpe Elementary School campus.

“We are hoping that once we finish this tiny home, a second one can be placed right next to the first, also being built by students at Nicolas,” said Davis.

Although there is no explicit timeline for when the tiny home will be finished, Davis said he believes the main bulk of the construction is expected to be completed in May, and the district will then host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the student’s accomplishments.

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And the district will work with local organizations ultimately to transition that family to a permanent residence as well, Davis said.

This project does not just involve the woodshop students, said Davis. The Nicolas student body is creating a documentary that will walk with the students constructing the home step-by-step, highlighting the highs and lows of tackling a project like this.

“We want students involved in every aspect of the building process,” said Davis. “It’s not just ‘go paint’ — it’s a hands-on experience where students can learn real-life skills while also assisting in a great cause.”

And it isn’t just a Nicolas project. At nearby Parks Junior High, a small group of students who have an interest in politics will present the project to the Fullerton City Council in the coming months to draw more support for the cause. Other students from various Fullerton School District campuses will help to furnish the home when the construction is finished later in the school year.

The tiny home project originated last year by the Innovation and Instructional Support team in the district.

“We were asked to think of something outside the box,” said Davis, “something that will impact more than just the school itself.”

Davis said five different ideas were presented to the district, but the tiny home project was chosen as the best fit.

The funding for this project has been fully provided from local support, including grants from nonprofits Fullerton Education Foundation and Wilson W. Phelps Foundation. Additional support has come from the Hope Center of Orange County, community group Orange County United, public relations firm Idea Hall, Pathways of Hope and Ganahl Lumber.

“Our vision is to provide opportunities for self-discovery and skill development to students in the trades,” said Monica Torres, executive board director of the Fullerton Education Foundation. “Through the process of building a tiny home from scratch to completion, students are exposed to a variety of trade disciplines and are empowered to identify possible future career paths.”

Woodshop instructor Mucio Vidales has been spearheading this initiative since it was presented to him last year.

“One day, the district came to me with a really great idea, and after working with the district and students, it has really come together,” said Vidales. “The support has been truly incredible. It gives the kids motivation to continue pursuing this project and seeing it through to the end.”

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Now, Vidales said, the students are working on smaller-scale models of the home to see how the building process will work as well as ensure the students are up for the challenge. For practice, students have also built a framework for a shed, learning different woodshop skills needed to eventually complete the tiny home.

“There are students who I have seen really thrive with this project,” said Vidales. “You can really recognize the students who want to work hard on this and feel passionate towards the home.”

“Seeing us all work together to make the home is the best part,” said Damitio. “In order to make sure this gets done, teamwork is needed. All of us working together and growing together is what will make this possible.”

Progress of the tiny home project can be followed on the school’s website where Davis said people will see the work the students are doing and add support of their own.

Orange County Register

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Homeless Fullerton students need a home, so these 8th graders are building one

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