Construction for a cause

The Salvation Army hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday (Feb. 18) for a four-unit duplex near the corner of West Eighth and Salem streets that will serve as transitional housing for single-parent families.

Most of the construction was completed last March by about 90 student volunteers from Chico State’s College of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management, along with roughly 75 community volunteers. According to a Salvation Army press release, the duplex will provide housing for the families of adults in the Ann and Emmett Skinner Transitional Living Program, a six-month treatment program that includes counseling, work therapy and a 12-step recovery course.

Ben Juliano (pictured), interim dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management, said a culture of community service has emerged among the students in his department.