CITGO Lemont Refinery Dedicates Habitat For Humanity Home In Lockport

LEMONT, IL — With the help of volunteers, CITGO Lemont Refinery partnered with the Will County Habitat for Humanity to build a new house from the ground-up in Lockport, according to a release from the business.

70 CITGO volunteers helped with the process, and a dedication ceremony was held recently to hand over the keys to the new homeowners, the Jones’ family.

The new homeowner, Adreania Jones, couldn’t be more thrilled to call this new place home. Adreania explained the Habitat for Humanity process at the ceremony and stated that they are first-time homeowners, according to a release.

“I feel blessed and thankful. My kids and I have been working hard for the past three years to officially call this place home. I want to thank everyone who contributed,” said Adreania.

“Our core value of CARE is to positively impact our communities, and the partnership we have with Habitat is amongst a favorite for our volunteers,” Jim Cristman, Vice President and General Manager CITGO Lemont Refinery, said in a release. “Our volunteers have been inspired with Habitat for Humanity’s purpose and look forward to more builds in the future.”

The entire structure of the home was framed from the ground-up in just three days, CITGO said. CITGO and Will County Habitat for Humanity officially broke ground on the new house in mid-2023, and 70 CITGO volunteers came together, working with dedication and efficiency to complete the framing.

Volunteers continued to lend construction support throughout the past year and a half through several volunteer days. In total, CITGO volunteers spent 483 hours working on the Jones’ new home, the business said.

“Will County Habitat for Humanity is proud to partner with CITGO to provide homeownership opportunities to families in need,” Nicole Murray, Habitat for Humanity Chief Executive Officer, said in a release. “Our collaboration goes beyond construction, driving lasting change and investing in the future of our community. Each completed home is an investment in our community, offering a beginning for families and contributing to the local economy through property taxes that support essential services.”