Staff photo / Bob Coupland The Rev. Christopher Cicero, pastor of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Warren, left, with Ceyanne Ferenchak, a volunteer coordinator with Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley, blesses the property at the corner of Burton and Willard streets where a new home will be built for a family.

WARREN — Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley is set to begin construction of a new home for a local family as a groundbreaking took place Tuesday at the corner of Burton and Willard streets.

Officials from Habitat for Humanity were joined by Warren officials, and representatives of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, and several other sponsor partners and supporters.

David Redig, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley, said people from different walks of life are coming together to help build a home to provide a family a permanent place to live.

“It takes a community to make projects like this happen. Whether it is swinging a hammer, writing a check, cooking sloppy joes to bring to the job site, that is what Habitat is about. This is much more than a house,” Redig said.

He said the volunteers and donors are helping a family to start new.

Redig said the house is scheduled to be completed and dedicated by fall. He also said Habitat is looking to build more homes in the future in the tri-county area.

As part of the program, the family will receive an affordable mortgage through Habitat with a 0% interest rate.

“We are excited to be back helping to build homeownership in the Warren community. This family has started a journey that includes financial education and homeowner classes. They will put their own time and hard work into the home, truly making it something they can call their own,” Redig said.

The Warren project began with interest from St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, who wanted their congregation to be involved in a community revitalization project.

Habitat worked with Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership to acquire the property on Burton Street.

“As we all know, home is where everything begins. It is where children feel safe and futures begin to take shape. This is about the community coming together to help open a door for someone else,” Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said. “People are giving what they can to make this possible. We believe in our communities, our families and in opportunities that will last. This home will hold memories.”

Ceyanne Ferenchak, volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, said, “This is an exciting day. We have not built in Warren for several years. We are ready to get the ball rolling on this. This is a beautiful location. We have a lot of community involvement.”

Beth Valerio, family program services coordinator for Habitat, said she met with the family that includes four children.

“We want the family to feel their life is better by offering them a home with affordable payments. We hope this new home will be a blessing in their lives,” Valerio said.

The family was unable to attend the groundbreaking.

The Rev. Christopher Cicero, pastor of St. Teresa of Calcutta, blessed the property with holy water and said all those participating in the building of the house to help a family are like “God’s own coworkers.”

Courtney Campesi of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, said the project is more than just building a house, but also building opportunities and hope for a family in the community.

She said the Thomas Family Endowment contributed toward the project and its board would praise the staff, volunteers and others who made this possible.

“Everyone is coming together to create something that is lasting and meaningful. We are not just laying the foundation for walls and a roof, but for new beginnings and a brighter future,” Campesi said.

Support sponsors include the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Thomas Family Endowment of the

Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, Ruth Beecher Charitable Trust and Republic Services Charitable Trust.