5 things you may not know about Habitat GTA’s Women Build
Local Habitats across North America participate in Women Builds. These events bring women (and men) together in a shared mission to give a hand up to families in need of a decent and affordable place to call home.
The spirit of Habitat GTA’s Women Build is to empower people to take action against the affordable housing shortage facing our communities. By bringing like-minded people together, from all walks of life, Women Build promotes spirit, empowerment, solidarity, fun, learning and pride, all while building homes alongside each other for deserving families.
Here are 5 things you may not know about Women Build:
- It’s the 10th Anniversary of Women Build in the GTA!
We can’t believe it’s the 10th Women Build we’ve hosted. I’m sure our longtime participants can’t believe it either. We have our wonderful community of women builders to thank. Our goal for the 2019 Women Build is to rally 500 participants over the course of 10 build days, to fundraise & build homes for local families in need of a decent place to live.
- Women Build is not just for women!
Yes, we know. The name may imply that only women can participate. But that’s far from the truth. Even though the event is geared toward women, we’ve also had men who are passionate about changing lives through housing participate in past events. Whether they were joining a team of female colleagues, or coming out with a female friend to build, we’re proud that Women Build has become an inclusive event. A matter of fact, anyone over the age of 16 can get involved. And yes, no previous building or construction experience is needed.
- Women Build is a unique hands-on experience.
What won’t you be doing at Women Build… Expect to get your hands dirty. Learn new skills and brush up on old ones. And get a work out in during your day on the build site. Most importantly, your contributions will help build a home for a family in need of a decent place to live.
Every Women Build participant will join us for a day on the build site. Together, alongside hundreds of women (and men) we will be working on the final 20 of 50 homes at our Pinery Trail build in Scarborough.
Under the guidance of experienced volunteer Crew Leaders, we’ll be framing, painting, and finishing homes.
- Women Build is a fundraising event.
Building homes does not come cheap. Acquiring land, construction materials, professional trade services are some of the reasons why we need to fundraise. While we do get donated product and services, a large majority still needs to be purchased. The fundraising component alongside building with us for a day truly makes a difference.
- Women build has made a significant impact.
Since 2009, GTA Women Builds have raised more than $4.5 million to help build 85 Habitat homes. This is the impact of 10 years of Women Build. Sometimes overlooked, is the impact it has on the lives of people who participate.
Women Build participants form connections & lifelong bonds, learn new skills, and get a true sense of what a Habitat home means to the families who move into them. That’s because they get to build alongside Habitat homeowners and hear their stories. There’s no better feeling than building alongside the person or people you are helping build a home for.
Want to learn more about Women Build or find out how you can join?