Shrewsbury residents Ornella Bisceglia and her daughter Laura will be the newest recipients of a Habitat for Humanity home.

Photo Credit: Lindsay Corcoran

Habitat homeowners Doug and Beverly Hall of Westborough welcome the Bisceglia's to the Habitat community.

Photo Credit: Lindsay Corcoran

(From left) Michael Wimberly, Ornella and Laura Bisceglia and Edwin Shea of Bank of America participate in the groundbreaking on the newest Habitat for Humanity home.

Photo Credit: Lindsay Corcoran

WORCESTER, Mass. - When Ornella Bisceglia moved to Shrewsbury from Russia nine years ago, holding her 2-month-old baby Laura in her arms, she had no idea how the cultural differences and economy would end up affecting her life.

Bisceglia and her daughter, both deaf, currently live in Shrewsbury at Avalon Way. They will be the recipients of the newest Habitat for Humanity house, which broke ground in Worcester on Saturday morning.

At the groundbreaking, Bisceglia spoke of her gratitude at being selected to receive the new home.

"In Russia, we had extended family all living in one house," Bisceglia said. "It was all communal and everyone helped each other."

Bisceglia said adjusting to the American lifestyle of independence was a challenge for her. She was successful in getting citizenship, then a degree from Quinsigamond Community College, but it was in finding a job that she struggled.

"In May 2007, I got my degree and began looking for a job," Bisceglia said. "The economic times were terrible. I went on five or six interviews before finally finding a job at UMass Medical School in November 2009."

Once she started working, Bisceglia said she was thankful for the job and that her employees are so supportive of individuals with disabilities.

Bisceglia said having a home to call their own will mean that she and Laura will no longer have to struggle in this economy.

"I will definitely miss Shrewsbury," Bisceglia said. "I have lived here for nine years. I have friends and good neighbors there."

Bisceglia said she is already excited about moving into the Worcester neighborhood, though the completion of her house may be several years away.

"I think this is going to be a good place," Bisceglia said. She noted that some of her neighbors, "the Italian brothers," who live across the street, already introduced themselves and offered their support.

She said that being a Habitat for Humanity recipient has made her feel like part of the family.

Doug and Beverly Hall, Habitat homeowners in Westborough since 1991, welcomed Bisceglia and her daughter at the groundbreaking.

"We're probably the oldest and we'd like to welcome the newest members of Habitat for Humanity," Beverly Hall said.

Habitat executives at the groundbreaking noted that this organization is driven by those who donate and volunteer.

"Everyone deserves a home," said Harriett Lebow, executive director of Habitat for Humainty – Metrowest. "It is all about people helping people."

Bisceglia also said she loved the feeling of community that comes with being a part of the Habitat for Humanity, and she looks forward to donating her time to help the next Habitat homeowners after her.