Willis Gavitt is quiet as he affixes rigging to the sails of his model ship, his bespectacled face as placid as a calm sea. A tiny detail at a time, over eight months, Gavitt has pieced together this ship, a model of the USS Constitution.

His work transports him. He envisions the exhilaration sailors must have felt climbing ropes to unfurl sails; the swift, decisive 1812 battle and victory against a British vessel that earned the ship its nickname, "Old Ironsides." Gavitt dreams of visiting the real version of the USS Constitution, which is dry docked at a Boston museum.

Gavitt attends the fresh START class, offered Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the Day Shelter at WestTown, a place developed by The Homeless Alliance so those with the need can find food, showers, classes and access to programs.

The Oklahoman profiled several class participants in advance of an art show scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday in the lobby of The Homeless Alliance, 1724 NW 4.