close

Guest Commentary: Make a difference in through Habitat’s Women Build Program

4 min read
article image -
Tyra N. Read

It is time for women everywhere to take off their heels and put on their hard hats for Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties’ Women Build 2014 Presented by Chico’s FAS!

We, as residents of Cape Coral, are fortunate to have this opportunity to help our local affiliate, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, through its Women Build program, provide two families in need with a renovated home. One home will be in Cape Coral and another home will be in San Carlos Park.

Women Build truly shows how women can accomplish what some may believe is impossible. Beginning in March of each year, women form teams to raise the money needed to renovate the homes. The women also renovate the homes, which are completed so they can be delivered to the families in May, in time for Mother’s Day.

I have been involved with Women Build for two of the three years our local chapter has organized for Habitat’s Women Build. There are so many families living in poverty in the United States. According to the Census Bureau, more than 16 million children are living in poverty. This is why we need to support Habitat to ensure Women Build 2014 is a success.

Being involved with Habitat’s Women Build is extremely rewarding. Yes, my team and I are helping a family obtain the dream of home ownership. We are also learning valuable home-related knowledge, such as how to hang drywall, how to install tile, how to caulk and many other tasks. Wouldn’t you love to know how to fix that faucet or caulk that counter?

Women Build holds a special place in my heart for another reason, too. Since I was a single mother when my son was young, I know firsthand how stressful it is for a mother to not know if she can keep a roof over her child’s head. When I purchased my first home as a single mother, I felt so proud and I knew I was setting a good example for my son. I am blessed to be able to participate in Women Build and help another family achieve the dream of owning a home.

Women Build brings together women from all walks of life to address the housing crisis in a concrete way. More than 2,100 homes have been built or rehabbed by women crews in the United States, as well as in dozens of countries around the world, since the program began in 1998.

Women Build is Habitat for Humanity’s program to empower women to take action against poverty housing conditions by recruiting, educating and inspiring women to build-and advocate for-simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities.

The work is managed through half-day shifts and is guided by trained construction supervisors. There is a lot of hoopla and rah-rah and even more cheers (and quite a few tears) on the Saturday before Mother’s Day as the homes are dedicated to the families and they are presented with the keys to their own home. You’ll also be making new friends and learning new skills. You will be part of something extraordinary. In the years to come you can drive by the house and tell your children and grandchildren, “Look what I did – I ‘built’ that house so that a family in need could have a decent, affordable home so they could build a better life for their family.”

Whether you would like to help raise the required $100,000 or you would like to help renovate the homes, or both, please get involved today. Habitat and the families need your help. Your skill level is not important. Because funds need to be raised by early April to ensure the Women Build homes can be completed for Mother’s Day, I urge you to not delay – contact Habitat today at 239-652-1677 or go to www.habitat4humanity.org/women-build. You can do this and you can make a difference!

Tyra N. Read, Esquire handles commercial and residential real estate transactions, as a partner with Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, PA. She has resided in Cape Coral, Florida since 1986.