Women Build is a month into the 2017 season and going full steam ahead! Since June 5th, all-female teams have been crushing it daily at the Women Build site in North Minneapolis. So far, 19 Team Leaders have recruited women crews and fundraised to support their build days.
Guest blog by Julia Brauchle
Twin Cities Habitat Staff
Earlier this month, Habitat for Humanity celebrated its 10th annual National Women Build Week, which invited women to devote at least one day to help build decent and affordable housing in their local communities. More than 17,000 women from 300 Habitat affiliates in all 50 states participated in Women Build projects last week. The week is sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement, who donated nearly $2 million to support National Women Build Week.
Why should you get involved with Women Build at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity this year? Bestselling author and activist Marianne Williamson sums it well in her book A Return to Love:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is
When Tami initially applied for a Habitat home in 1990, she was living in a Transitional Housing Program with her four small children. Her neighbor told her about Habitat's Homeownership Program, and Tami recalled feeling excited about the prospect of owning her very first home.
Guest Blog by Julia Brauchle
Twin Cities Habitat Staff
On Thursday, March 30th, new and returning Women Build volunteers and donors gathered together to celebrate the past 17 years Twin Cities Habitat has had a Women Build program and the start of the 2017 season. While enjoying the beer at Urban Growler, the first microbrewery in Minnesota owed by women, women from across the metro shared their stories and experiences with the Women Build program.
Women are most often leading the way at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, whether they're on our executive team, our board of directors, our construction sites, or anywhere in-between. And, if you’re looking for a way to multiply the positive impact you can have on our community, there’s a place for you at Twin Cities Habitat.
By Michelle Gierke
Guest Blogger and Women Build Steering Committee Co-Chair
The New Year means it is time for the Women Build Steering Committee (WBSC) to get back to work after a brief holiday hiatus and start planning the 2017 Women Build season! The WBSC is comprised of about a dozen volunteer committee members and one Habitat staff member and, among its responsibilities, the WBSC recruits volunteers, Crew Leaders and Team Leaders for build dates, raises awareness of the Women Build program and even manages to squeeze in some time to celebrate the year’s successes in between.
Guest blog by CJ Fitzsimons
Women Build Steering Committee Member and Crew Leader
We did it! Here are some "before and after" photos of the house so many volunteers contributed in building.
On a beautiful fall Thursday night, Marian and Abdikani gathered with their family and a multitude of community members to dedicate their home in St. Paul.
The family of 10 presented bright smiles on their faces, as they walked through each room and reflected on their "dream come true."
"Our lives will change forever," Marian said. "Our kids will finally have a home, not just a room."
This St. Paul dedication was also special because it was a Women Build home. Through Women Build, volunteers build two Habitat homes a year. With 50 team leaders and 14 crew leaders, over 1,000 women have participated in Women Build.
Generally, on the 2nd Monday of the month the Women Build steering committee gets together to plan and discuss Women Build. The steering committee is made up of women from all walks of life who all come together to with one common goal – to empower women!