Santon Electric, LMCCs energize Dylan’s House mission
The power of NECA-IBEW Electricians is flowing into a nonprofit focused on meeting critical housing needs for adults with autism.
Santon Electric has been working on the first-ever Dylan’s House on Judith Lane in Struthers, which is expected to open in the coming months.
The city donated the land for the home, and local contractors stepped in to help bring the project to life.
Powering real impact
Santon Electric began work in January and is now putting the finishing touches on the home that will soon provide independence and caregiver support for three residents with autism.
“Everything turned out great. It’s a standard, new build residential project,” said Frank Sferra, project manager, Santon Electric.
Electricians handled everything from rough-in wiring to installing outlets, lighting and fixtures once the drywall and painting were completed.
It’s a three-bedroom house with two bathrooms and two-car garage.
“We did electrical work for the finished basement, which is designed as a recreation space,” Sferra said.
Santon Electric was hired for the hands-on work, but collectively, the Youngstown and Warren LMCCs donated a combined $500 for Dylan’s House.
“We appreciate the community, and it’s a big undertaking. This is such a crisis for families and having a group like NECA-IBEW Electricians donating really helps us realize how important this is,” said Amy Shope, founder of Dylan’s House. “People are really starting to understand what’s happening with housing.”
A conduit for something bigger
The mission behind Dylan’s House is personal for Amy and her husband, Kevin.
The nonprofit, founded in late 2022, is named after their son, Dylan. Through the challenges of finding proper care and housing for him, they realized how limited the options were for adults with autism.
With continued community support, the organization is gaining momentum and expanding its impact across the area.
“The Mahoning Valley supports so many missions, and we have so many people jumping on board that love what we’re doing. Every dollar we raise goes back into these homes,” Shope said.
Because of her work with Dylan’s House, Shope was named WKBN’s Remarkable Woman of the Year in March 2026.
The swell of support will carry into the fourth-annual Sunday Funday on April 18 at Penguin City in downtown Youngstown, with proceeds going toward future housing projects.
Carrying the mission forward
While the Struthers home is nearing completion, it’s only the beginning.
An eight-bedroom duplex is now being built in Boardman. The property was donated by Sam and Donna Boak, of Boak & Sons.
Individuals that move in there will also have 24/7 caregiver support.
For NECA-IBEW Electricians, the Struthers project represents more than a typical residential build.
“It’s nice to be involved in something like this to help the Shopes and adults with autism. Being connected to a mission like this in our community is so important and makes such a big impact,” Sferra said.
Santon Electric is a member contractor of NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association consisting of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.
