The interns worked on cleaning an Advantage Housing warehouse in Kokomo. “As part of the summer internship here at FCA Kokomo, we feel that this is a great way of developing and nurturing the teamwork concept,” says Stan Kerstiens, Industrial Engineering Manager, Kokomo Transmission Plant-FCA.

Advantage Housing is a non-profit Kokomo organization that provides housing for people willing to put “sweat equity” into their homes. FCA sponsors Community Action Days throughout the country and makes monetary donations to each location that provides manpower for these projects. 

Purdue IE summer interns Mark Jordan, Alyssa Williams, and Ryan Hancock, and newly-hired IE alum Kyle Plummer, participated in the clean-up day. The students and others removed and sprayed weeds, power-washed the front porch, cleaned donated medical equipment for Project Access, inventoried donated medical equipment, partially framed a loft, and organized and inventoried bays for flooring, window treatments, plumbing, electrical, tool, paint, garden, and cabinetry supplies.

“We at FCA feel that fostering the concept of community involvement is critical to future of our existence and gives employees the opportunity to show pride in their communities,” continues Kerstiens. “[It also] give students the opportunity to get to know each other, meet interns from various colleges, work alongside union employees and make valuable contacts within the company.”

Executive Director of Advantage Housing Dale Bliss and FCA thank all the employees and family members who volunteered.

Writer: DeEtte Starr, starrd@purdue.edu