A Christian Alliance Uniting Media Professionals Globally

GMS Blog

The latest from GMS and featured sources
12
Aug

Habitat For Humanity’s ‘Women Build’ Brings Women Together

Across the country, Habitat for Humanity has launched its new program “Women Build,” bringing together women from all walks of life to learn construction skills while addressing the current housing crisis.

In St. Paul, Minnesota, 15 women with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity are helping a Somali-American couple and their five daughters create a new home. Over 1,100 miles away, in Dover, New Jersey, Morris Habitat for Humanity has designated “Women Build Days,” encouraging women to volunteer from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on two local homes throughout the month of August.

The program educates and inspires women to build and advocate for affordable housing in their communities. Volunteers do not need any prior training or special skills. They learn on the job how to do everything from pouring concrete to securing stable roofing. They also learn how to build strong, water-resistant basements since about 98% of basements in the U.S. suffer from water damage during their lifetime.

“I think it’s really important to empower women to help them see what types of skills they can develop, and of course, it is really impactful in a powerful way when you meet the family that’s going to buy this home,” stated Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity CEO Susan Haigh.

By empowering women to do tasks normally reserved for men, Habitat for Humanity is contributing to the changing face of the construction industry. “It’s continuing to grow. In our own office in Minneapolis we have a lot more women in our engineering positions as well as our craft workforce than we have in the past,” said Kelly Mansell of Mortenson Construction. “When I started I was the only female – it’s pretty exciting to see. The workforce is changing.”

Abdikani Ali, who will be moving into the St. Paul home with her husband and five daughters, is especially grateful for the female volunteers who are setting an example for the young girls.

“My girls see that they can do everything they want to do,” she said. “We can build a dream.”

Leave a Reply