Women Build 2011 is here at last

                                                                                                                

Media Release

Friday, March 4, 2011

For Immediate Release

Women Build is Back, Building at 439 York Rd.

The Habitat Wellington program motivates women to construction sites

GUELPH – There will be a surge of women heading to the 439 York Rd. construction site next week. Habitat for Humanity Wellington County’s (HFHWC) women empowering program, Women Build, will start their second project on June 7. The single home construction will be for a single mother of two daughters. Women Build is not about excluding men but promoting women as leaders and providing an opportunity for women to learn new skills, to build confidence, to work in solidarity, and to really make a difference to a family.

This Saturday, HFHWC will host Meet the Neighbours event at the build site. Volunteers will be able to meet the participant family and project leaders, as well as the Habitat’s ritual ‘Blessing of the Foundation’.

“I still can’t believe this is happening to me,” said the Habitat home recipient.

Since 2000, the Women Build program has built 49 homes across Canada. With the help of 250 women volunteers in a variety of capacities including 175 on-site ladies, Wellington County had their first Women Build in Guelph last year at 133 Bagot Street. Women Build ultimately provided a brand new home for a deserving family but 2010 Chair, Kimberley Rogers believes the project meant much more.

“We not only built a home on Bagot Street; we built lasting friendships and gained new skills, confidence, and faith in one another,” said Rogers.

It takes volunteers to build a home, but it also takes money. Months leading up to the build project that will start next week, Women Build enthusiasts held fundraisers like Bowl-A-Thon and Flamingo Flock to raise funds and awareness towards the York Rd. project. Fundraising will continue throughout the build as they will be hosting its first Family Barbeque on June 26 at the Riverside Park, featuring Cold Stone Creamery, Harvey’s burgers, face painting, bouncy castles, live entertainment and more. The launch of online fundraising now makes it easier than ever to support Women Build. There is a growing interest in becoming a ‘Heroine Hybrid’ or a ‘Flirty Fundraiser’ and raise $500. Flirty Fundraisers will be entered to draw for a Hot Air Balloon Ride for two.

Meet the Neighbours will be held on the morning of Saturday, June 4 from 9 to 11 at the 439 York Rd. build site as well as Robinson’s Flowers at 440 York Rd. Speakers include  HFHWC Executive Director, Diane Nelson; MP Frank Valeriote; MPP Liz Sandals; Cheryl Ambrose; and Kimberly Rogers.

“Please join us,” said Rogers, “Dreams really do come true!”

For more information on Women Build and to register as a volunteer, please visit www.habitatwellington.on.ca/womenbuild.html or the Women Build Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/WomenBuildHFH and www.twitter.com/WomenBuildHFHWC

-30-_____________________________________________________________________________________Habitat for Humanity Wellington County is the local affiliate of an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing throughout the world. Using volunteer labour and donations of funds and building materials, we build simple, decent houses and sell them through no-profit, no-interest mortgages to low-income families in need of adequate shelter. Mortgage payments go into a fund that is used to build more homes.

Luke Hancock
Fundraising & Communications Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity Wellington Countyfundraising@Habitatwellington.on.ca
519.767.9752 ext. *28