A new home is going up in San Benito, and Ricky Hernandez was one of the teens putting it together on Wednesday.

“It feels nice because I know it's for veterans,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez is part of the Cadets for Vets program, where juveniles in the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department learn what it's like to become productive citizens while developing life skills. 

Since the program started in 2019, juveniles in the program have gifted hour newly-built homes to veterans.

“I get to speak to people, kind of work with them. I think that's one good thing, learning how to work with other people,” Hernandez said.

The Cadets for Vets Program is part of a partnership between the Brownsville Affordable Homeownership, San Benito CISD, the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department and the Cameron County Veteran's Office.

Teens who take part in the program receive OSHA training before they start building the homes. 

“I'm not sure what their issues are or how they got in there… so by the time they get out, I hope they use those skills to better themselves,” Cameron County Veterans Service Office Director Martin Rodriguez said.

The program’s goal is to build two homes a year to be gifted to veterans.

Now, the veterans office needs help finding someone to receive their latest home.

Hernandez said meeting some of the qualifications can be a challenge for a veteran, and they include having to own your own property.

The latest home is expected to be complete in June 2025.

If you’re a veteran in Cameron County and want to see if you qualify to receive a home, click here.

Watch the video above for the full story.