» Ranken Community Development Corporation
Home built by students in Ranken's Carpentry and Building Technology Program
Recognizing a need for housing in the community it serves, Ranken Technical College
established the Community Development Corporation (CDC) in 1994.
The program combines the technical skills of its students and faculty with
the need for affordable housing, enhancing North St. Louis city's neighborhoods.
Through the RCDC and their required curriculum, students receive hands-on experience
in the carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills involved in the construction
and renovation of single-family homes. The non-profit organization has built
34 homes in twelve projects to date. For each house, the RCDC uses the talents
of 6-7 students and faculty members.
"Ranken has always been recognized for going the extra mile, and the efforts
of the Community Development Corporation strengthen that reputation," says
Ben Ernst, president of Ranken Technical College. "It's rewarding for our
students to apply the skills they learn in the classroom to the community just
outside of our campus-and to see the positive effects their work has on the
lives of others."
Prior to the establishment of the RCDC, Ranken students exercised their skills
through projects with community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.
As student and project schedules became more difficult to coordinate, the College
began working with the city of St. Louis to establish a non-profit, Ranken-run
organization capable of providing affordable housing to the Central West End
community. Backed by the development expertise of SLAYCO, the Ranken Community
Development Corporation was incorporated in April 1994.
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