Timeline: From Nightmare to Dream House
By: Julia McCorvey
Henry Clay High School, Lexington

Twenty-five experienced Habitat volunteers, 54 mostly inexperienced Governor’s Scholars Program staff members, and 360 upcoming high school seniors all working together to build a house.
That sounds like a logistical nightmare.
Add to that the fact that they planned to build the house in just four weeks, when the usual time for building a Habitat home is 12.
To some people, that sounds impossible.
 “I don’t think anyone realized what we had stepped up to do,” said Chuck Sgro, the Volunteer House Leader.
It’s doubtful that anyone fully realized what GSP was getting itself into when a year ago program leaders decided to partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a house on the west side of Louisville.
But once committed to the idea, GSP’s Executive Director and Academic Dean Aris Cedeño did everything he could to make it happen, despite misgivings by the local leadership of Habitat. Sure , the work crew would mainly be made up of young and totally clueless amateurs, but Aris had every confidence in the students who had already proved their worth – in academics, leadership and public service – before they were even considered for the GSP program.
In their initial meetings with GSP, however, Habitat leaders were not as enthusiastic about the partnership, fearing safety problems with such a large and inexperienced workforce.
    But Aris was determined. “They are good, and they are going to do it!” he told Habitat leaders.
“It wasn’t a matter of if you could do it. It was a matter of if (legally) we could put a power tool in your hand,” Chuck said. But Habitat agreed to partner with GSP and build a home for a family of deserving immigrants from war-torn Somalia.
The scholars began working on house in June, shortly after the foundation had been completed. Four weeks later, the house was completed – a record time for Habitat. Much of the credit belongs to Chuck Sgro, who created a safe and efficient working environment for all his young workers.
 “The thing that made it different was that I had to have either our suppliers, sub-contractors or other specialty groups come in on days when the GSP folks were not there. It was a challenge. Add to that the holiday and the fact that two of the weeks (had) triple-digit temperatures!” said Chuck, still appearing a little amazed that the job was done and done well.
Here is how it happened, as revealed in timelines Chuck provided:

A Normal Habitat TimelineWeek 1
Foundation built
Plumbing, heating and air conditioned planned in.
Begin siding
Roof put on

Chuck Sgro rallies the GSP Scholars at the house dedication.

Week 2
Electrical rough in
Continue work on siding
Week 3
Shingles installed
Finish siding
Install insulation
Week 4
Inspection
Hang drywall
Week 5
Finish hanging drywall
Paint trim
Week 6
Finish drywall professionally
Hang gutters
Prime ceilings and paint walls
Week 7
Paint ceilings and walls
Install sub-floor
Begin trim
Week 8
Vinyl installation
Install cabinets and counter top
Install doors and begin base board trim
Week 9
Trim, paint, caulk
Week 10
Trim, paint, caulk
Install porch
Week 11
Build shed
Paint caulk
Hardware
Week 12
Install carpets
Prepare for dedication

The GSP Timeline
Week 1
Foundation built (before scholars arrived)
Plumbing, heating and air conditioned planned in.
Begin siding
Trim, paint, caulk
Roof put on
Week 2
Electrical rough in
Continue work on siding
Shingles installed
Finish siding
Install insulation
Inspection
Hang drywall
Week 3
Finish hanging drywall
Paint trim
Finish drywall professionally
Hang gutters
Prime ceilings and paint walls
Paint ceilings and walls
Install sub-floor
Begin trim
Build shed
Week 4
Vinyl installation
Install cabinets and counter top
Install doors and begin base board trim
Trim, paint, caulk
Continue building shed
Paint caulk
Install carpets
Prepare for dedication