Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley broke ground on a property in Salem for a new family home.

The ceremony marked the first construction for the non-profit in a handful of years, and the beginning of a new journey into homeownership for the Calderon family.

"The economy is pretty hard, but I kept pushing and pushing and trusting in God, honestly," Athziri Calderon said.

The project is a unique endeavor for the non-profit's construction crews.

 The house will be built using structurally insulated panels, or SIPs, which are a more durable and environmentally-friendly option than a regular stick build.

"The big win is for the homeowner in the end, because it will be a very tight, very energy efficient house," Executive Director David Redig said. "So, it will allow them to save on energy bills, utility bills, throughout the life of the home."

The work of organizations like Habitat for Humanity help combat housing insecurity, which can affect families like the Calderones for generations.

As a young mother, Athziri says she's lucky to have the opportunity to raise her family in a place they can call their own.

In the meantime, the Calderones will be taking classes through Habitat for Humanity to learn how to take care of their house and finances, and have committed 500 volunteer hours to help build the their future home.