Habitat for Humanity home to be dedicated in Norwich on Sunday

Norwich - A new Habitat for Humanity home at 51 Fairmount St. will be dedicated at 3 p.m. Sunday, featuring the property's new owners, the Cudzilo family.

The newly constructed home, the 49th project completed by Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut, was sponsored by the Diocese of Norwich as a way of engaging young members in community activities.

The so-called Youth United home brought together more than 30 young people from the Catholic diocese who volunteered at the construction site for more than 200 hours.

"We hoped this project would give the youth of the Diocese of Norwich an opportunity to extend their service beyond the boundaries of their parishes," said Marge Vanner, coordinator of the diocese's Office of Faith Events, in a statement.

Diocese youths joined other young people and adults from the Norwich area in participating in the project's completion.

"The ideal goal is to see these youths become adult volunteers for other projects like this," Vanner said.

Terri O'Rourke, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut, said she was grateful for the diocese's support.

"It is encouraging to see so many youth from our community take an interest in serving their neighbors," she said in a statement.

Homeowner Michelle Cudzilo, as well as friends and family, devoted hundreds of hours to the construction of her home. Homeowners selected for the program must devote at least 400 hours of "sweat equity" into their own homes or the homes of other Habitat families, with at least 200 hours to be completed by themselves and another 200 hours to be accomplished by friends and family.

Habitat also requires potential homeowners to attend a first-time homebuyer class, as well as other sessions addressing issues such as home insurance, wills, environmental stewardship and neighborliness.

Families buy Habitat homes at cost. Subsequent mortgage payments are placed in a revolving fund that in turn pay for the construction of other Habitat homes.

The local Habitat organization, founded in 1987, constructs or renovates homes with volunteer labor and donated materials or contributions. Churches, corporations, foundations, civic groups and private citizens are among the contributors.

For more information, visit www.habitatsect.org.

l.howard@theday.com