NATCHEZ — Seeing the faces of the families ready to move in to a new house is what brings Will Warren back to Habitat for Humanity worksites Monday and Wednesday mornings.

The retired Natchez native and Habitat volunteer is working on his third build — a three-bedroom, two-bath house on Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that uses volunteer labor to build affordable housing for low-income families.

Warren and the handful of other volunteers began construction of the house in October and will work each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon to finish the project within eight to nine months.

Warren first got involved with Habitat while living in Pascagoula and seeking a way to give back to the community.

After moving back to Natchez nearly five years ago, Warren got involved with a tutoring program at Natchez High School, where he helped students with their math and science work every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

“That was a great experience,” Warren said. “But eventually I wanted to try something different.”

Warren and Habitat volunteer coordinator Duncan McFarlane grew up in the same subdivision in Natchez, and the two quickly reconnected after Warren moved back to the area.

“I called him up one day and told him I was finally ready to get involved,” Warren said. “And I’m glad I did, because this has been one of the greatest things I’ve been a part of in my life.”

Warren, who describes his role in the Habitat builds as that of a “helper,” said he didn’t have much construction and building experience when he first began volunteering with the organization.

That soon changed as Warren realized those who volunteer on builds are expected to lend a hand with whatever they can.

“I’ve learned so much in the time I’ve been here, it’s incredible,” Warren said. “I’ve been able to watch how things are done and learn from all these guys.”

Wednesday morning, Warren and the three other Habitat workers were putting the finishing touches on the framework for the roof, which will likely be put up Saturday.

Having a roof over their heads, McFarlane said, will help the volunteers work during any weather conditions.

“We’ve had a few delays from the weather, but that’s expected around this time of year,” McFarlane said. “It hasn’t bothered our guys that much, though.

“They still have been out as much as possible.”

McFarlane said it’s because of volunteers like Warren, and others who give their time to help with the projects, that the organization has been able to finish and dedicate 17 houses in Natchez.

The house on Martin Luther King Jr. Street will be the 18th house built by Habitat in Natchez since 1991.

“You can build a house with four people, it just takes a lot longer,” McFarlane said, laughing. “The more volunteers we have, the quicker we can get these houses built and start on the next one.

“Without our volunteers, we really couldn’t do what we do.”

Warren said the effort put forward to build a house from the ground up in nine months doesn’t hold a candle to the expressions of the families during the dedication ceremonies.

“The joy of it all comes when you see the look on the faces of the families who are about to get their new house,” Warren said. “To us, that’s what it’s all about.”

Donations for Habitat or applications for a house can be mailed to P.O. Box 100, Natchez MS, 39121.

Those interested in volunteering their time can reach McFarlane at 601-807-4956.