New London — Cadets and other volunteers from the Coast Guard Academy are spending each Saturday and many Sundays building a home for Habitat for Humanity.

The home, at 9 Jefferson Ave., is the first local Habitat for Humanity home that is being fully funded and built by the Coast Guard. Current cadets, along with the Alumni Association, the CGA Parents Association and the Institute for Leadership, teamed up with Habitat for Humanity on the project.

First Class Cadet Kathryn Weber conceived of the idea after cadets helped at a different Habitat for Humanity site in 2010.

“On the ride back, we were talking about how much we loved going out and helping,” Weber said. “So I was thinking, wouldn’t it be cool if we could do this every weekend?”

Weber approached her command with the idea and with support from the Alumni Association, the project gained momentum. The cadets began their trips to Jefferson Avenue Aug. 15.

“It’s becoming an attitude and institution within the academy,” said Second Class Cadet Anthony Monteforte, project leader for the 2014 class. “People want to do the house, they want to have put hours into this house.”

The house is scheduled to be finished in April.