PENN HILLS, Pa. -- A Penn Hills family got a knock on their door on Friday morning that changed their lives.

ABC's show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has announced the local family chosen for a new home.

The father got in a little trouble with the law as a teenager and was put in jail twice for fighting. But he turned his life around and now he's helping jail inmates do the same.

The Slaughter family makes a big difference in Pittsburgh and now Pittsburgh is going to make a big difference for them.

The Slaughter family was surprised when they learned who was knocking at their door on Friday.

"I'm like 'wait a minute they're out there! Come on!'" Frank Slaughter said.

Thanks to the show, in one week the family will have a whole new home.

One of the star designers of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is Paul DiMeo. Fans of the show may know his work, but they might not know he went to Point Park College. DiMeo got his start building sets for Pittsburgh Playhouse.

"A lot of memories driving up through the Monroeville, now here we are in Penn Hills. So it's going to be a great week ... Certainly going to go to the playhouse and a matter of fact take some of the crew here … catch a little Primanti brothers … I know the South Side has changed completely … I think I'm going to try to make it to one of the Penguins' games this week," DiMeo said.

But most of DiMeo's time will be with the show's crew, the construction crew and thousands of volunteers.

Local builder Montgomery and Rust has taken on the project and they're counting on as many as 2,000 people to make it happen.

"We are up for it. We're ready to get to work," Mark Rust said.

Meanwhile, the family is trying to come to grips with the change that's about to happen.

"It's not even hit us. We don't even actually, I don't know. I know it's like a lot of people, but it just doesn't seem real, said Tracy Slaughter.

But it is very real. Along with a lot of other safety problems, the family's four girls share a room and only have a curtain dividing the room with their brother.

Son Michael Slaughter said having to share a room with his sisters is no fun.

While that's being changed, the family is going to Disney World. But one family member might prefer to stay Pittsburgh.

"Ty, he's cute! He's Ty … Yeah, I'm going to have fun with Donald Duck and all them," said daughter Tayana Slaughter

The house is being demolished on Sunday and all next week the crew and volunteers will be hustling to finish the build. This episode won't air for a few months.

Channel 4 Action News will be following the progress and will show you how the finished home turns out.

Here is what the press release says about the family:

"Frank Slaughter was incarcerated for a few days in the same facility that he now works as a corrections officer. At his church, he turned his life around and became a deacon. Because of his experience, he believed he would be capable of helping inmates become successful caring citizens that will contribute to society. He created a forward thinking program to rehabilitate inmates which helps secure employment for them before they are released. With immediate employment, the goal is for these fathers to help pay child support. In addition to being a good role model and implementing programs to help the inmates turn their lives around, Frank also uses music and rap to tell stories that will encourage others to stay on track and do the right thing. Frank also helps coordinate mentors for the men at his church once they are released. His program has been able to successfully guide hundreds of men to a new path in life. His wife Tracy, who served in the Navy, mentors single mothers and provides care for children, seniors and the homeless at their home, which doubles as a community center. Their oldest daughter Tayana who is following in her parent’s footsteps and participated in the ROTC program wants to join the Navy."

At a pep rally last week, the show's executive producer, Conrad Ricketts, spoke to volunteers about how quickly they'll have to work.
Click here to see video of the pep rally.

"I watch the show regularly, so I'm very familiar with it, so Sunday nights, it's a religious event for my family," said Greg Green, whose company was selected to do the work.

"I think it's indescribable. I think it always brings me to tears, just knowing that in 106 hours, they've changed a family's life completely. I don't think I can even put words on it, how powerful that is," Green said.

Green's partner, Mark Rust, said it's exciting to see how many people are signing up to pitch in and help.

"You're presented with an opportunity like this, how can you say no? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have the ability to make such an impact on a family's life," Rust said.

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HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Anyone who's interested in volunteering their time or resources should go to www.extreme.montgomeryrust.com for more information.

Montgomery & Rust Inc. has been designing and building homes since the early 1970s, but this will be the family-owned company's biggest challenge yet.

Making the dream house into a reality won’t be easy. Instead of six months, they’ll have just one week to demolish, design and build the home.

“The key is the planning,” said Rust. “Everyone knows what their task is and they're focused on their tasks and they don't get in anybody else's way.”

Once the house is built, designers from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will customize each room for each family member.

Plumbers, electricians, carpenters and just about anyone else who can help will be called upon to make one family’s wish come true.

“This is going to be such a life-changing event for whoever that family is, and as a builder you can't help but be changed by that,” said Rust.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is entering its sixth season. New episodes air Sundays at 8 p.m. on WTAE-TV Channel 4.

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WEEKLONG SCHEDULE

Friday, Oct. 17:
Wake-up call, builder meets the family, media alerted about 9 a.m.
Move-out of the Slaughter family begins.

Saturday, Oct. 18:
House emptied for demolition. Slaughter family leaves on a vacation during construction.

Sunday, Oct. 19:
Media welcome to the “Braveheart” march of volunteers to the construction area beginning at 6:30 a.m., and demolition 1 p.m.
Excavate basement and trench footers.

Monday, Oct. 20:
Morning - Pour basement, backfill basement, house framing begins,
Afternoon - Window installation begins, rough plumbing and electrical, second floor deck,
Evening and Overnight - Rough electrical, plumbing and HVAC, set roof trusses, roof shingles.

Tuesday, Oct. 21:
Morning - Drywall and siding installation begins.
Afternoon - Prime and finish ceilings, stone and tile installation begins.
Evening and Overnight - Cabinets installed, exterior trim begins, interior millwork begins, painting.

Wednesday, Oct. 22:
Morning - HVAC installed, install plumbing.
Afternoon - final electrical work, install doors and hardware, appliances installed.
Evening and Overnight - install hardwood floors, install closet shelving, painting.

Thursday, Oct. 23:
Morning - install landscaping.
Afternoon - Designers move-in furniture and decorating.
Evening and Overnight - Cleaning interior and exterior.

Friday, Oct. 24:
All media and public welcome to “Move The Bus” beginning at 2 p.m. - family welcomed home.

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