Tiny home, big impact

It was hot outside — in the mid-80s — yet five students from the Connections at Orange Coast College DHH Adult Transition Program looked eager to get to work, converting an old cargo container into a tiny home for a low-income family.

The mission of OCDE's ATP is to equip students who are deaf or hard of hearing with the tools and skills to build independent, successful lives. Through a partnership with Cargo2Casa — a nonprofit founded by Jim Forde dedicated to providing affordable housing for those in need — students are gaining valuable hands-on construction experience while giving back to their community.

Over the course of three weeks, working three days a week, Forde introduced the students to electrical work, plumbing, insulation, and a variety of power tools, guiding them as they built the framework for a two-bedroom tiny home.

“Quite frankly, the opportunity just seemed too good to be true,” said Felicia Miller, the DHH ATP teacher who connected her class with Cargo2Casa and Jim Forde. “They [her students] were very excited about the prospect of actually being out learning on the job instead of spending the summer in the classroom.”

Isai Corrales

Isai's favorite part of the job is using the power saw. As soon as he arrived at the work site, he went straight to work — measuring and cutting frames with his favorite tool.

Their enthusiasm and natural talent for the work were evident from the start. After just the first week, the students were able to pick up right where they left off, continuing their tasks from the previous workday with little to no instruction. As visual learners, they quickly absorbed and retained the various skills and just as quickly fell in love with the work.

Guillermo Villa

Guillermo enjoys using the power tools — especially the drill, which he says is his favorite part of the job.

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Jason Salinas

Jason appreciates other aspects of the job, like working with friends, watching the home come together and knowing their work is helping a family in need.

“They love it,” Miller said. “I see their confidence and pride grow each day.”

Emmanuel Aguilar

Emmanuel brings a more thoughtful perspective to the work, saying he enjoys the problem-solving aspect of the job most of all.

“This is the only time we ever see him smile,” added Asia Viloria, an OCDE interpreter for the class, referring to one of the students.

Anghelo Cabrera

Anghelo has enjoyed every part of the learning process that comes with construction work, but if he had to pick a favorite, it would be using the table saw.

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Although the ATP’s extended school year will end before the tiny home is complete — it won’t be finished for another month or so — Forde planned a small graduation to honor the students’ work and the skills they’ve developed. Each student received a certificate and their own hard-hat, colored white for managers.

It’s also a milestone for Cargo2Casa, as this will be the first of the organization’s 40-foot models to be completed.

Once fully constructed, the home will be transported to a property in Garden Grove, where the state will identify a family in need to move in, according to Forde.

Forde believes this home will be the first of many built with the help of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, and he sees it as a testament to their full capabilities.

“We believe that the DHH community can do anything they want and compete in the job market," Forde said. “All we need to do is get the word out and tell everyone what we are doing with students who are DHH.”