BOSTON (WHDH) -- As crews broke ground on a home makeover in South Boston, they were also building a new beginning for 8-year-old Sydni Pecevich.

Sydni was diagnosed with a grapefruit-sized brain tumor when she was just two months old.

“In her first 22 months of life, she had approximately 18 surgeries,” said Cathy Jerome, Sydni’s mom.

She's now been cancer free for seven years but was left with stark reminders of her battle.

“The aftermath of cancer, though, is that she has some brain damage, so she's wheelchair dependant and feeding tube dependant,” said Cathy Jerome.

Against all expectations, Sydni started taking steps in a trainer within the past year. The challenge now is making Sydni comfortable at home, where her mom is forced to carry her in and out every day.

“All of her equipment is too heavy to bring into the house, so most of it stays at school,” said Jerome.

That’s where the community has stepped in with local labor unions, Mayor Menino's office and an architect, all helping for free.

“Anybody I ask for anything, they give me what I ask for, and a little bit more,” said Bill Christopher, architect.

Among the renovations are a wheelchair ramp, a handicap accessible bathroom and an addition in the back.

Now this construction will take weeks of labor, but crews are hoping to get it done in time for Christmas, giving a whole new meaning to being home for the holidays.

Architect Bill Christopher estimates the cost ranging anywhere from $150,000 to $275,000, but no one is counting.

“No one has charged a dime on this project, and they're not going to,” said Christopher.

“I never felt like I had to travel this journey alone. I don't know that I could have,” said Jerome.