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Women Build, a program of Habitat for
Humanity International, promotes the involvement of women in the
funding and construction of Habitat homes, providing an opportunity
for women to learn construction in a supportive environment and
empowering women as they address the issue of substandard housing.
The International Women Build program is celebrating its tenth
anniversary this year.
Over 300 women have had a part in the Women Build
initiative since 2003. Many have become regular committee members
helping with everything from fundraising to wall raising. Several
women have become weekly regulars and others come to build as often
as possible. The group has been honored by Soroptimist Intl with
their “Advancing the Status of Women” award and Department of
Homeland Security honored the group at the “Women Changing America”
Ceremony.
For the Chicago Magazine article
click
here.
For more details on the event
click here.
For coverage from the Mississippi Gulf Coast
click here.
Click here
for the full story.
Women answering the challenge from Habitat
for Humanity and Lowe’s
to help eliminate poverty housing during National Women Build Week,
May 1–9, 2010
Newark, NJ May 6, 2010— In the days leading up to Mother’s
Day, construction crews of women volunteers all across the country
will be pounding nails and raising walls at Habitat construction
sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build
Week, May 1-9. In Newark, on May 8, 2010 local women volunteers will
be manning tools and materials, working on a family’s new home.
Across all 50 states, around 7,000 women volunteers are expected to
build at more than 200 Habitat for Humanity construction sites.
Developed through the partnership between and Habitat for Humanity
and Lowe’s, National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at
least one day to the effort to eliminate poverty housing. The event
is an initiative of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program,
underwritten by Lowe’s, which recruits, educates and nurtures women
to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in
their communities.
Lowe’s is providing Habitat for Humanity Newark a $5,000 Lowe’s
store gift card, as well as in-store volunteer training, in support
of this one-day build. Nationwide, Lowe’s committed more than $1
million to National Women Build Week, providing gift cards and event
materials to 200 Habitat affiliates.
WHAT: Local women volunteers building
with Habitat for National Women Build Week
Women from nearby communities throughout Essex, Union and Morris
counties will be building on the third home in Newark sponsored by
Habitat Newark’s Women Build group. This group of dedicated
volunteers is raising funds to build their third home for a woman
and her family. Work on the house began on March 2 with a
wall-raising ceremony.
WHEN: Saturday, May 8, 2010
Construction begins at 8:00 a.m.
Construction ends at 3:00 p.m.
About Women Build of Habitat for Humanity
Newark
Habitat for Humanity Newark (HFHN) is an ecumenical Christian
ministry dedicated to building simple, decent homes for low income
families in Essex County New Jersey. We build homes with hardworking
partner families who supply over 400 hours of sweat equity. HFHN
finances the home purchase with no interest mortgages. We are proud
that 69 families have benefited from homes built with generous
donations and by thousands of volunteers. Our Women Build volunteers
have sponsored and built two homes in Newark and are currently
raising funds and building their third home in Newark, NJ. For more
information, visit habitatnewark.org.
On Sunday March 8, Women Build III joined
with The Women’s Theater Company to host a lovely afternoon bringing
together the theatrical talent of the theater company with the
‘culinary” talent of the Women Build Committee.
Appetizers prepared by Women Build Committee members along with
Irish cheeses from St James Gate in Maplewood were sampled while
sipping wines and teas donated by Barefoot Winery and Whole Foods,
West Orange. Beautiful springtime decorations enlivened the
pre-theater area and guests took their chances on Tricky Tray
Baskets and Silent Auction items.
Following the exiting production of A Trio Sonata, homemade desserts
and coffee were served and auction winners were announced
Indeed, another successful Women Build event! A phenomenal $3,000
was added to the Women Build goal of $90,000 while bringing over 80
guests to the theater!
A very special thank you to the The Women’s Theater Company for
hosting the event and to all the sponsors and donors that helped to
make the event so wonderful.
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A few members of the WBIII Committee
make sure all
details are in order before the event begins. |
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An important part of any WB event is
the social time when
supporters get a chance to share their views and ideas, and to
discuss women building homes for low income mothers. |
Lynne Blaesser, co-chairperson of Habitat for
Humanity Newark’s Women Build, was recently featured in Comcast
Newsmakers, a segment attached to CNN Headline News on Comcast
Channel 58 and repeated for several days. You can view the five
minute interview by selecting the icon below.
The Women Build initiative at Habitat Newark held
it’s first meeting on January 21, 2003 when 23 women came together
to decide if they could meet the awesome goal of raising $80,000 and
building a home. Not only did this group meet their goal but the
committee grew to over 100 women and the first home was completed
and occupied by Ms Doris Martinez and her daughter Cyan in December
2004. Funds in excess of $100,000 were raised and the momentum
continued for Women Build II.
The Women Build II house was dedicated on April 16,
2006 and the Marbey family became its proud owners.
September 2008. Women Build III has
now raised $50,000. That gives us more than 50% of the $90,000
needed to sponsor a house for a deserving low income Partner Family.
We expect the build to begin sometime in the fall, but the exact
start date is yet to be set.
Volunteers Needed.
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Fundraising. Volunteers are
needed to help Women Build III raise the balance of the
money required to sponsor Women Build’s third house. You can
put your talents to use in many ways: fresh ideas to raise
funds, spreading the word to women’s groups, publicity,
assisting with our events, whatever! Interested? Contact
Lynne Blaesser or join us at our meetings. |
| • |
Building. Women and women’s
groups are welcome to join Women Build as volunteers on the
construction site. No previous building experience is
required, just a willingness to pitch in and learn new
skills. |
About Habitat for Humanity Newark
Habitat for Humanity Newark (HFHN) is an ecumenical Christian
ministry dedicated to building simple, decent homes for low income
families in Essex County New Jersey. We build homes with hardworking
partner families who supply over 400 hours of sweat equity. HFHN
finances the home purchase with no interest mortgages. We are proud
that 68 families have benefited from homes built with generous
donations and by thousands of volunteers. Our Women Build volunteers
have sponsored and built two homes and are currently raising funds
to build their third home in West Orange, NJ.
About Lowe’s
Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International,
American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety
Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and
programs that help communities across the country. In 2008, Lowe’s
and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together
contributed more than $25 million to support community and education
projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages
volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide
employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 50 company with
fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,650
stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit
Lowes.com/community.
Want more information? Want to be added to our e-mail list?
Contact Women Build Co-Chairs:
Lynne Blaesser
(mlblaesser@aol.com)
Carol Paster
(cjp212@hotmail.com)
Click Here for our Winter 2008 Newsletter
Click Here for our Summer-Fall 2008 Newsletter
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the following icon:
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