Habitat for Humanity, parish help nurse be a homeowner

The home was built entirely with the help of some 250 volunteers from Holy Family Catholic Church in Poland.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CAMPBELL — A Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County partnership with a Catholic parish has led to a new home for Alanne Newell.

Habitat dedicated the home, at 47 Fifth St., at noon Saturday.

The home, which will belong to “partner/owner” Newell, was sponsored and built entirely with the help of some 250 volunteers from Holy Family Catholic Church in Poland.

Newell said she is “very excited” and “looking forward to moving into our new home.”

For Newell, a licensed practical nurse who works at a nursing home in Youngstown, the journey toward becoming a homeowner began when her family outgrew their two-bedroom apartment and a friend advised her to apply for a Habitat home.

“I needed more room ... and I wanted something to leave behind for my children,” Newell said.

Two dozen since ’89

The dedication of this house marks the 24th home built or rehabilitated by Mahoning Habitat since it was founded in 1989.

It is also important because, although Mahoning Habitat has worked with the Catholic diocese in the past, it is the first time it has partnered with a Catholic parish on a project of this magnitude, said Steve Hanzely, Mahoning Habitat president.

Steve Platz, Holy Family project manager, said the project provided the church an “opportunity to put our faith into action. I would encourage anybody to get involved [with Habitat] because there is nothing better than the feeling you get from helping people who want to help themselves.”

After Saturday’s ceremony, Newell and her children, Morgan and Nyasia, were to move into their home.

And, even though her house is complete, Newell wants to remain an active volunteer with Mahoning Habitat.

“I met a lot of nice people ... and I am looking forward to helping someone else fulfill their dreams,” she said.

alcorn@vindy.com