DJJ where it’s never been before.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — For more than a month now, youth who are incarcerated at the Department of Juvenile Justice have worked nearly five days a week to build this home. Officials at DJJ say it’s a way for them to give back to a community that some of them once stole from. “Building this house was tremendous impact in my life,” says William Stark, currently at DJJ. William Stark was among those who worked on the home. “To me, it made me feel better than a lot of people, I think felt good about it,” says Stark. Sharing William’s excitement is the new owner of the home, Gretta Jackson. “I can’t even explain it, I’m just in shock,” says Jackson. Gretta and her son, who suffers from cerebral palsy will share the home. “I’m excited I can’t wait to get to the spot and you know start decorating,” says Jackson. Jackson says she has a lot to look forward to. “Being able to let him wash in the shower more,” says Jackson. “Just having a lift in the house, so it will be easy for me to transport him from room to room,” says Jackson. Jackson herself has worked on the home with the youth, like William. “It’s a great feeling inside to see something from the ground up and finish it, ” says Jackson. “In the past I always thought about how I could just take stuff from people without getting caught,” says Stark. “These kids are going to take this a long way, talking to other kids, encouraging them not to do bad,” says Jackson. The project known as, “The House that DJJ Built,” is a first for the organization. For Gretta Jackson, she’s ready for the day she can finally move in her new home. “Oh my God, I might pass out that day, cut a couple flips on the lawn,” says Jackson. For William Stark, this house is another step forward in changing his life. “It clicked in my head that this family needed a change in their life, just like I have a need to change my life,” says Stark. Under supervision youth incarcerated at DJJ, will go to the final destination of the home to complete work on it. Jackson hopes the home is completed by Mother’s Day.