The Habitat for Habitat ReStore in Harvey is recognized for being the best vocational internship training site in Marquette County. From left are Michael Shimon, executive director of Marquette County Habitat for Humanity; Bob Howe, ReStore manager; Harger Boal, work-based learning technician at the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency; and Jim Yates, Career and Technical Education readiness consultant with MARESA. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

Career and technical education comes in many forms, and it helps when local businesses support it.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Harvey has been named the best vocational internship training site in Marquette and Alger counties.

The recognition was made Monday by the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency to celebrate February as CTE month.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore vocational placement provides applicable and realistic job development for Transition students of varying independence levels.

Jim Yates, CTE readiness consultant with MARESA, said the organization facilitates the Transition program, which focuses on special needs students.

“We have to find that right internship site to fit their abilities,” Yates said.

Receiving the award on behalf of the ReStore was its manager Bob Howe.

“The idea is to get job training,” said Howe, who noted this training can be everything from coming in at a regular time daily to being dressed properly to interacting with people.

“Not only do they interact with me, but they interact with my staff and sometimes with customers,” Howe said. “Customers will ask people questions.”

He’s been pleased with the young volunteers, who perform tasks such as assembling and cleaning inventory.

“They’re like any workers, to be honest with you,” Howe said. “We all have our good points and our bad points. They work good. It’s nice to have them here. It’s kind of a blessing, really.”

Michael Shimon, executive director of Marquette County Habitat for Humanity, was on hand for the recognition.

He said the ReStore is a big part of Habitat’s operation.

“Bob is responsible for what’s happening because he treats the kids pretty well, I think,” Shimon said.

According to MARESA, Howe often goes out of his way to continue working with students even after their contracts have ended. He also works with some challenging students without issue, although one student continues to volunteer there even though he no longer is in the Transition I program.

Harger Boal, work-based learning technician at MARESA, said the Transition I and Transition II classrooms are for 18- to 26-year-olds.

Practical work experience is an important component.

“We have varying level of independence and skill sets, and then we just try and match them with vocational trainings that are either going to lead them to gain skills to lead to employment, or just connect them with the community so that they can give back a little bit and have something to do,” Boal said.

Social skills are important as well, which, as Boal put it, give the participants something to get up for in the morning once they leave the program.

For more information about MARESA, visit maresa.org. For more information about Marquette County Habitat for Humanity, visit mqthabitat.org.

The ReStore shop, which has used and discounted furniture, building materials and other items, also picks up donated furniture, appliances and building materials. The store, located at 2354 U.S. 41 South, can be reached at 906-249-4416.