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Oprah, Amy or Amal?
May 3-11, 2014 is National Women Build Week at Habitat for Humanity. This year, actress and author Holly Robinson Peete joins over 13,000 women from across the country to build and repair homes at Habitat construction sites. Also among them are Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers adding physical labor to the already huge financial support Lowe’s has provided for the build. According to the Habitat for Humanity, “Lowe’s donated $1.75 million to support this year’s National Women Build Week, which includes providing $5,000 gift cards to 300 participating Habitat affiliates.”
National Women Build Week is an opportunity for women specifically to contribute donations, time and talent to building and repairing homes and make a dent in the fight against homelessness. Lisa Marie Dickerson, Associate Director of Habitat for Humanity, said the program “was a groundswell or grassroots movement” driven by women who wanted to give back to their communities. Dickerson leads a team that provides support to Habitat and distributes grant funding from Lowe’s. “They (women) really liked the idea of inspiration and empowerment” that the weeklong build provides. Not only can they build, but they DO build.”
The past seven years Habitat has had a partnership with Lowe’s that has provided funding to not only maintain but also grow the program. At its inception, the program had 5,000 volunteers in 150 communities; this year 13,000 will build across the nation in over 300 communities. (Find a build near you) Over 52,000 women have participated in the six previous National Women Build Weeks over the years. “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.
Nickerson said, “Women can come with any level of training, or no training, and participate.” Their partner, Lowe’s, offers “How to” clinics for women leading up to the build that includes everything from ‘how to hold a hammer correctly’ to ‘how to safely use power tools.’
“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. Since Habitat’s Women Build program was created in 1998, more than 2,200 homes have been built in partnership with low-income families using Women Build crews,” according to Habitat.
Celebrity participation, like that of Holly Robinson Peete and country superstar Trisha Yearwood, provides additional exposure to the cause and help raise awareness. It isn’t too late to join the ranks of superstars, supermoms, and superwomen at National Women Build Week. Find a build near you and jump right in. If you are interested in helping in the future, you can visit habitat.org/local to connect with Habitat and find out what’s happening in your area in the future.
About Habitat for Humanity International
“Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.”
Photo Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity
