15+ women volunteers worked together to build affordable homes in Habitat’s Women Build day
Andover, MA — Last week, over 15 Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity women volunteers from all walks of life came together for a Women Build in Andover. The event provided an opportunity for women to take a proactive step to help construct new affordable homes.
They worked at Andover’s first 100% permanently affordable homeownership community project which is a collaboration between Andover Community Trust and Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity.
Volunteers worked under the guidance of experienced site supervisors and also work alongside future Habitat homeowners. Juana and Michel, future homeowners and neighbors, both single mothers, where onsite working and putting in their ‘sweat equity’ hours.
“It was great to work with Juana and Michel and know that we are not just building a house, but we are building a home for families,” said Kate, a volunteer.
Women helping women sends a positive and powerful message.
This message was passed on to the local Girl Scout Troop 98180 – a group of 6th grade, Girl Scout Cadettes who regularly meet at South Church in Andover. According to Karen Bacchi, Troop Leader, when first told of the Habitat project, the girls were disappointed to learn that they could not come build until they are at least 16 years old. Nonetheless, they took leadership, made and brought lunch for all the volunteers at the Women Build event.
During the past years, the National Women Build events has grown, with more than 117,000 women volunteering to build or repair homes with nearly 5,000 Habitat families across the country.
If you missed this year’s Women Build, start planning for next year since it is always the same weekend as Mother’s Day. National Women Build Week encourages women to build Habitat houses, address the problem of affordable housing in a concrete way, and assist families achieve the stability and independence they desire through safe, decent and affordable homes.
For more information on local Women Build events, visit www.merrimackvalleyhabitat.org
