Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Team Maple 3 Helps Build Habitat Home

Maple 3 participating in the Unity of the Community parade.

By: Tristen Shevey

The AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Corps) team, Maple 3, has been working with Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County in Struthers, Ohio since May 2. The team is working with two houses in particular, one from the frame up and one rehabilitated home.

There are a variety of tasks members are working on at each work site including placing roof boards, installing windows and doors, insulating the exterior and interior, putting up siding, and finishing a roof with shingles. A major achievement for Maple 3 is being important participants in the process of building a house.

Maple 3 organized a day for the community to help called Father Son and Daughter Build Day. Fathers and their children gathered to help landscape and paint drywall. The team also represented Habitat for Humanity and NCCC in a “Unity of the Community” parade.

Another AmeriCorps NCCC team in the area, Maple 6, invited Maple 3 to attend their community service day for their sponsor Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC). The day consisted of working in the neighborhood of Youngstown boarding up abandoned homes, painting boards and demolishing abandoned buildings. Additionally, Maple 3 participated with YNDC to help grow the Iron Roots Urban Farm. The tasks of the day included raking the land and installing raised farm beds for long-term sustainability.

The team is finishing both Habitat homes and departing for Vinton on June 25.