Local volunteers join women across the United States to build affordable housing in their communities.
Last week more than 40 women volunteered, including Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers, on a Bend Area Habitat for Humanity construction site in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 3-11.
Now in its seventh year, National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to help build affordable housing in their local communities. The week also spotlights the homeownership challenges faced by women.
Robin Cooper, community outreach manager for Bend Area Habitat for Humanity said, “We were thrilled with the turnout of women today supporting National Women Build week at our construction site. More than 40 women brought their muscles and desire to make a difference in the lives of three single moms, Christine, Crystal and Rachelle.
The three homes we worked on today were constructed with love and I know our families are better because of it. It truly does take a village to help Bend Area Habitat continue its mission of providing affordable housing for low income families and individuals in Bend and Crook County. Bend Area Habitat and the families we serve are very thankful.”
The volunteers worked to install siding and insulation on one home, landscaping and deck staining on another and foundation work on the third home in Bend Area Habitat’s northeast subdivision. Many of these projects have provided the women with new skills and confidence to come back and volunteer again.
Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 and each year provides the support of Lowe’s Heroes and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.
Lowe’s donated $1.75 million to this year’s National Women Build Week, including a $5,000 store gift card to Bend Area Habitat as part of a new five-year partnership with Habitat that will bring Lowe’s total contributions to more than $63 million since 2003. In celebration of this renewed partnership, Lowe’s and Habitat launched Hammers for Habitat, a volunteer initiative inviting men and women across America to give one day to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for a family in their community. www.Habitat.org/Lowes.
“As part of National Women Build Week, we’re encouraging women across America to raise a hammer to help create safe and affordable housing in partnership with local families,” said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe’s director of community relations. “We thank our Lowe’s Heroes and the thousands of volunteers who will help strengthen communities throughout the country this week.”
The U.S. Census Bureau reports more than 16.1 million children are living in poverty in the United States. Nearly 24 percent of children reside with women heads-of-household.
Habitat’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities. Since the program was created in 1998, more than 2,200 homes have been built in partnership with low-income families using Women Build crews. More than 52,000 women from all 50 states have volunteered at the six previous Women Build Week events.
Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to providing affordable homeownership and home repair services to low income families and individuals in Bend and Crook County. Bend Area Habitat has ReStores, used and surplus home improvement centers, accepting and selling a wide variety of building materials, appliances and home furnishings in Bend and Prineville. All proceeds from the ReStores benefit Bend Habitat’s mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, www.bendhabitat.org.
