In celebration of its centennial anniversary, DePaul University is embarking on a number of projects that rekindle the spirit of its mission of service. In October, the university will undertake a six-month community service project when volunteers begin construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in Lawndale.

A ground-breaking for the West Side Habitat for Humanity (WSHH) home that will be funded in part by DePaul, will take place on Oct. 15 at 3800 W. Lexington St. The time of the event will be determined at a later date.

"What better way to celebrate our centennial than to demonstrate the spirit of DePaul’s mission, which calls for community involvement and service to others," said Thomas G. Fuechtmann, director of the DePaul Centennial Office.

DePaul will partner with Maxwell House in financial support of the project in a matching gift campaign that the company has conducted through 100 Habitat for Humanity chapters around the country. Maxwell House also will provide complimentary coffee for workers and volunteers during the entire construction phase.

A crew of volunteers from DePaul, led the by the university’s student chapter of Habitat for Humanity, will assist with construction of the home every Saturday until its completion in April 1999. Scott Lavick, a senior, is a coordinator of DePaul’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, and has been active with the group since his high school days.

The DePaul house will provide Lavick with the first opportunity to work on the same home from start to completion and to eventually work side by side with the families who will own the property. He said that this kind of long-term community service work makes him feel more a part of the university. "It’s not a matter of them and me at DePaul, it’s we," said Lavick. "When you’re helping the university to get its mission across, you become a part of that mission."

According to Tom Drexler, assistant director for community services in DePaul’s University Ministry, involvement in such a project not only provides volunteers with the opportunity to assist a family in need, but also helps to foster a sense of community within the university.

"As we celebrate the centennial in a manner reflective of DePaul’s mission, students, departments and offices have the opportunity not only to build community within the city of Chicago, but can build a sense of community within their own department, office or group," said Drexler. "This bonding is an added bonus derived from community service work."

According to Stephanie Bell, executive director of WSHH, two homes will be built at the Lexington street site, which is currently a vacant lot. The DePaul home is actually a two-flat that will consist of a two-bedroom, wheelchair accessible condo on the first floor and a three-bedroom condo on the second floor. The ideal occupants, according to Bell, will be members of an extended family. To date, WSHH has built more than 23 homes in the Lawndale community.

Student finalists from three educational institutions who were judged in a national competition supplied design features for the homes. Those students attend the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture, Manley Career Academy in Chicago and the University of Maryland.

Once the DePaul University-Maxwell House two-flat has been completed, it will be purchased for a down payment of $750 per condominium and interest-free home loans.

DePaul University alumni and anyone interested in volunteering for this project should contact Amy Carlozo, University Ministry, 312/362-5606.