PolyHouse 2010 has begun

This is the seventh year that Cal Poly’s Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Graduate students have performed a community service project. The course teaches project management through a large “home make-over.” As in past years we have chosen to work with a family who have had more than their share of hard times. Simon and Ruby have three wonderful children. Their son Caleb has achondroplasia dwarfism and hydrocephalus. He has endured more than 10 brain surgeries in his nine years of life. He has spent many months in the hospital and the medical bills are piling up. He is currently doing well, but his health is fragile.

We spent almost two hours at their home on Friday afternoon interviewing and touring the house and yard. Ruby treated us to the most amazing oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies. We have lots of things we would like to help them with, but the top of our list is a Caleb-size bathroom.  The extent of our work will be determined by two constraints: 1) the generosity of the community and 2) the six day construction period.

We have appointed two project leaders to help us get organized. Mike and Jon have already set up a wiki for us to share thoughts and information. On Monday, when we meet again for class, we will discuss scope and assign teams. We are also organizing a team building barbecue for next week.

I would say the overwhelming feeling of the students in the class is excitement. I think I speak for most of us when I say we feel privileged to be able to bless this family in our community.

Stay tuned for information on our donors, students and families.