Habitat For Humanity Kicks Off 2018 Women Build

Courtney McArdle was catering an event about a year ago when she met Carolyn Valli, executive director of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

iBerkshires.com reports, in conversation, McArdle told Valli a bit about herself. She's a single mother, raising two children, and working three jobs.

Valli extended an offer to meet with Habitat staff.

iBerkshires.com reports that this Saturday, Habitat broke ground at McArdle's future Housatonic Street home. The kick-off launched the first day of "women build," a program eyed to empower women by getting them involved in the construction.

The home on Housatonic Street is the first foray into Dalton for Habitat. Selectmen John Bartels and John Boyle welcomed Habitat with open arms. The home brings new families to town, adds children to the school system, and even cleans up an eyesore.

McArdle got many of her hours in building DelSonno's home. And on Saturday, DelSonno was returning the favor. She was among the women on site and said her efforts are just her way of giving back to those who helped her.

The home is expected to be complete in time for McArdle's two children, Avery and Easton, to attend the first day of Craneville Elementary's school year. And McArdle says she will be looking to put in two-days a week toward building the home.