Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2024: Empowering Women to Construct Homes, Transform Lives
Springing into Action
What was once a vacant lot at the corner of 72nd Street and South University Avenue is turning into a dream come true for Adrienne McCue. “It kind of hits you. Everything is going to change and you’re going to be able to do everything you’re going to be able to do – a garden that I want to do, cook in the kitchen that I want to cook in,” McCue, a first-time homeowner, said.
Women Join Forces
With hard hats on and tools in hand, women volunteers joined forces with Habitat for Humanity for Women Build 2024. This initiative brings together women from the community to build homes, raise money for the organization’s mission, and shine a light on the inequities women face in the process.
A Homeowner’s Journey
Four homes under construction in Greater Grand Crossing are part of Habitat’s Affordable Home Ownership Program. Soon-to-be homeowners like McCue are required to help with construction and take classes about homeownership before moving in early 2025. “I’ve been renting for years and years, so this is going to be our first home. So we’re excited,” McCue said.
Sponsors Make it Happen
During Women Build, hundreds of women, including HGTV producer and Chicago native Kyra Epps, who understands the importance of helping women become homeowners, are lending a hand. Part of Epps’ drive to help comes from remembering what it felt like when she moved into her first house growing up. “Grew up on low income housing on Chicago’s West Side, and I’ll never forget the day when we moved out of our low-income apartment and my mom was like, ‘We’re getting our first house.’ She painted the dining room yellow. I was like, ‘Mom, why did you paint this yellow?’ and she was like, ‘We’re free. We can do whatever we want.'”
Community Activists Join the Cause
Englewood Barbie, who has helped connect hundreds of unhoused Chicagoans to resources, is also making a mark on this project. Epps refers to them as “the friends.” “Even though you don’t build the whole house, you helped, and we need to start helping each other more and it’s just one of those things where it gives people the opportunity to see what real help looks like,” one Englewood Barbie community activist said.
Leaving a Lasting Impact
Along with putting in hard work, the women on site took some time to write notes of encouragement inside the new homes. “I knew I was going to cry because seeing all the women doing such great work,” McCue said.
Get Involved
Anyone interested in getting their hands and feet dirty for a good cause with Habitat for Humanity can click here for more information. Women Build will wrap up on Saturday, October 26.
Conclusion
Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2024 is an empowering initiative that not only builds homes but also transforms lives. It is a testament to the power of women coming together to make a difference. By participating in this program, women can not only contribute to a good cause but also be part of a movement that promotes equity and indaba.
FAQs
* What is Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2024?
Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2024 is an initiative that brings together women to build homes, raise money for the organization’s mission, and shed light on the inequities women face in the homebuilding process.
* How can I get involved in Women Build?
Anyone can get involved in Women Build by clicking here for more information. The program will wrap up on Saturday, October 26.
* What is the goal of Women Build?
The goal of Women Build is to empower women to construct homes and transform lives by providing affordable housing options, promoting homeownership, and addressing the inequities faced by women in the homebuilding process.
