YNHH and Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven held an Aug. 2 groundbreaking for two new houses on Vernon Street. From left are: Michael Holmes, senior vice president, Operations, and Richard D’Aquila, president, YNHH; future homeowner Musu Dahn; Victor Rodriguez and his daughter, Ana Rodriguez, future homeowner and a YNHH employee; and William Casey, executive director, Habitat of Greater New Haven.

On Aug. 2, YNHH and Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven held a groundbreaking ceremony for homes at 51 and 55 Vernon St., one of which will be owned by a hospital employee.

These are the seventh and eighth YNHH-sponsored Habitat homes. More than 300 hospital employees have volunteered on Habitat builds over the years. The non-profit Habitat for Humanity builds, renovates and repairs houses worldwide. Families purchase Habitat homes through affordable monthly mortgage payments and invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, along with volunteers, to build the houses.

Ana Rodriguez, transition coordinator, Care Coordination, has already put in nearly 200 hours of work on her new Vernon Street house, with help from family and Habitat volunteers. “Everyone has been so helpful, so gracious,” she said.

If you would like to volunteer on your own time for these or other Habitat for Humanity projects, visit habitatgnh.org/volunteer/volunteer-up/contact. Volunteer opportunities are available Tuesdays through Saturdays. For information, contact Ellen McNally, [email protected].