EAST CHICAGO | More than 100 youths paid to come and do house makeovers in East Chicago neighborhoods this week.

The city on Sunday welcomed 120 young people who are members of World Changers, an initiative of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Alpharetta, Ga. The board is in partnership with the Northwest Indiana Baptist Association and East Chicago's Redevelopment Authority.

High school and college students volunteered to replace roofs and repaint 10 homes in the 3700, 3900 and 4000 blocks on Euclid Avenue, followed by the 3800 and 4000 blocks on Drummond Street, according to Lyvette Turk, program manager.

"Our kids are from North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Colorado," Turk said. "They attended church and met homeowners and assessed the homes on Sunday."

Before leaving for work, the young people have a circle of prayer at 7 a.m. at East Chicago Central High School, Turk said.

A work day for the volunteers begins about 7:15 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. The crews perform only exterior improvements of either tearing away old roofs and putting on new ones, or painting exterior surfaces.

In its fourth year, the project comes through federal funding from community block grants, Turk said shortly after purchasing more roofing and painting materials from Home Depot.

Morning rainfalls challenged the roofing work, but "we scrambled and got it covered," she said.

Overall, more than 22,000 World Changers nationwide chose to pay about $260 to participate in 95 construction and community service projects across the country, according to Susan Peugh of World Changers.

Turk said the World Changers' presence makes a difference to neighbors.

"The children have been a blessing to the homeowners, who are so grateful," said the director. "The homeowners bake cakes for them.

"It creates a community pride. They start doing their yards and helping others. It brings the community together for that week. It is very interesting."