The dream of home ownership is a step closer to reality for one Sacramento-area family, thanks to a Habitat for Humanity project aided by DPR’s recent donation of both funding and labor.

A total of 10 DPR Sacramento office employees pitched in about 75 volunteer hours over two workdays, helping build the infrastructure for two new homes that will go to deserving, low-income families in the Del Paso Heights area. DPR crews worked alongside members of the Cebrero-Lara family which is slated to receive one of the two homes. The family ultimately will contribute at least 500 hours of sweat equity on their home and other projects to fulfill the home ownership guidelines set forth by Habitat.

Photos courtesy Rodman Marquez and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento

During the workdays earlier this month, volunteers literally got into the trenches to dig out space for sewer and water connections one day while installing plywood for sheer walls on the other. Before either workday could take place, however, DPR’s Sacramento office had already stepped in to donate a $10,000 funding shortfall that had initially threatened to delay the project’s fall start date.

Superintendent Marco Cabodi participated in both workdays to get the project off the ground. He was joined by an array of DPR employees, representing regional management, business development and estimating crews as well as project managers, engineering and craft personnel.

“It’s a lot of hard work but quite rewarding to be part of creating a new home for somebody who needs it, while supporting the wonderful Habitat organization,” Cabodi commented. “These are smart, efficient new homes (designed to LEED Gold standards) that brighten a little spot in the community and have a positive effect on the whole area.”

Photo courtesy Rodman Marquez

As a builder, the project fits perfectly in DPR’s wheelhouse, and crews made quick work of a job that Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento had estimated would take substantially longer. In fact Habitat’s site supervisor raved Saturday morning about how much the DPR crew had been able to knock out Friday, noting that the work DPR had completed by noon would have taken their regular volunteers over two days to complete.

Volunteer Ken Vail, a DPR carpenter foreman, said that it was a good feeling to give back and contribute in a way that utilized his building skills. “It always feels good to get out there and help,” he commented. “I can’t wait until my children are old enough to do these things with me and to show them it’s good to get out there and lend a hand. Giving people a warm and safe place to raise their children is a great feeling, and it’s a reminder of how fortunate we are.”

Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento

DPR plans to continue its participation on Habitat’s Cebrero-Lara home building project, with another workday tentatively planned for January. The project is slated to complete in the spring of 2016.