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A couple of months ago I reluctantly joined Habitat for Humanity Women Build. I say reluctantly, as the most hammering I ever did before this was putting a nail in the wall to hang a picture, and usually the nail came out & the picture fell.
I soon realized I was not alone as many of the Habitat volunteers are unskilled. Skill building workshops were soon up and running. Last night Rona Building Centre opened their doors to us, and Stewart Carter (Construction) gave up his evening to give us hands on experience on how to drywall. He was informative, witty, and a great teacher. The staff at Rona were there to help with any materials we needed, and we all left with a pink rose. On the work site, lunches are provided by various restaurants as well as some very generous people and the site supervisor is one of the most patient people I know. I want to say “Kudos” to everyone involved in this fantastic venture. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you want to expand your horizons, work together for a great cause and meet some fabulous people, you should give a “Habitat Build” a try!
I soon realized I was not alone as many of the Habitat volunteers are unskilled. Skill building workshops were soon up and running. Last night Rona Building Centre opened their doors to us, and Stewart Carter (Construction) gave up his evening to give us hands on experience on how to drywall. He was informative, witty, and a great teacher. The staff at Rona were there to help with any materials we needed, and we all left with a pink rose. On the work site, lunches are provided by various restaurants as well as some very generous people and the site supervisor is one of the most patient people I know. I want to say “Kudos” to everyone involved in this fantastic venture. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you want to expand your horizons, work together for a great cause and meet some fabulous people, you should give a “Habitat Build” a try!
Marlene MacNevin
Habitat for Humanity Women Build Volunteer
marlene macnevin
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
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The house that women built
I have spent vacations doing biggish jobs around my house, and I’ve spent vacations actually vacationing. This year I booked off eight Wednesdays in June and July and spent them at 439 York Rd. building a home through Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build.
I completed my last day last Wednesday. Sniff.
It’s always sad to see the end of a holiday, and while I can’t say building a house is the same as floating on a lake, it’s been rejuvenating nonetheless.
A project like this has a lot of appeal for me. As a homeowner, it helps to know how to do minor repairs, and through building this home I’ve had plenty of practice with hammers and nails ... and nail removers. I also better understand the concepts of level, square and plumb and how to achieve them.
I’ve had my share of being told I can’t and I don’t know how. So it’s nice to be able to say yes I can, and I do know how.
As well, I know I’ve been blessed with some lucky breaks in my life, and it is time to deposit some goodwill in the karma bank again. A family will get a home and an affordable mortgage through this project. I’m delighted to be able to help.
My first shift was the second day of the build and we started in the basement installing ledger boards around the top edge of the basement walls. In subsequent weeks we installed the joists and subfloor for the first floor, then the walls, and then repeated the process on the second floor.
How thrilling it was to put up the walls, especially on the second floor on the windiest of days. “Does this house make me look fat?” I asked as we poked our heads through the front window.
I was there for some of the roof work, too. I’m not so keen on heights and steered clear of the really high work that required wearing safety harnesses. I’ll never forget Ashley and Ingrid though, as they danced across the highest beam, nailing the trusses into place. Like tightrope artists, it was beautiful to see. And a little queasy-making too, even from my perch on the relative security of scaffolding.
Oh, and I’ve learned how to put up scaffolding. And take it down. And move it. And put it back up again.
There’s a lot of repetition with building a house.
There’s also been some weather — one cold day, where volunteer builders were looking for tea and coffee at break time — and the rest of them hot. Some very hot, some very humid, and one record-breaking hot and humid day.
My last day fell during Bring a Friend week so I brought one of my daughters and we worked together siding the back of the house. It was a great mother-daughter day and a fine way to wrap up my summer vacation.
I salute project manager Sharon Lewis, who is guiding the volunteer builders through each and every job. Every day a new set of women comes on site eager to get to work. Sharon is a master at harnessing their energy and honing new skills in her workers. She’s been patient, thorough, encouraging and good-humoured through it all.
The Women Build project is a little different from other Habitat for Humanity builds. Lunches are donated by local restaurants and grocery stores and they have been delicious and most welcome. Some days there are armchair massages, mini yoga or Pilates sessions to soothe our sore muscles.
Participants can also take the free skills building workshops that are offered. The last one was on drywalling: hanging, taping and filling. More of them will be organized as the work in the house becomes more specialized. No skills are required however, and the workshops are not mandatory.
Women Builders are being asked to do some fundraising since not all materials are donated. Raise $150 minimum and get three days on the site; commit to eight days of building for a $25 donation; or just sign on for fundraising if building is not in the cards for you. Every two weeks there will be a draw for incentive prizes for volunteers who raise more than the minimum.
Building takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays and we’re hoping to complete the project and hand over the keys in October.
More information is available at http://www.guelphwomenbuild.ca/ or http://www.habitatwellington.on.ca/
I’ll probably go back. I want to learn how to install kitchen cupboards, and since I’ve taken the drywall workshop, it would be nice to practise what I’ve learned.
I’m still hoping for some R&R, and floating on a lake still sounds refreshing. But I’ve never had a vacation that’s been as fulfilling.
I completed my last day last Wednesday. Sniff.
It’s always sad to see the end of a holiday, and while I can’t say building a house is the same as floating on a lake, it’s been rejuvenating nonetheless.
A project like this has a lot of appeal for me. As a homeowner, it helps to know how to do minor repairs, and through building this home I’ve had plenty of practice with hammers and nails ... and nail removers. I also better understand the concepts of level, square and plumb and how to achieve them.
I’ve had my share of being told I can’t and I don’t know how. So it’s nice to be able to say yes I can, and I do know how.
As well, I know I’ve been blessed with some lucky breaks in my life, and it is time to deposit some goodwill in the karma bank again. A family will get a home and an affordable mortgage through this project. I’m delighted to be able to help.
My first shift was the second day of the build and we started in the basement installing ledger boards around the top edge of the basement walls. In subsequent weeks we installed the joists and subfloor for the first floor, then the walls, and then repeated the process on the second floor.
How thrilling it was to put up the walls, especially on the second floor on the windiest of days. “Does this house make me look fat?” I asked as we poked our heads through the front window.
I was there for some of the roof work, too. I’m not so keen on heights and steered clear of the really high work that required wearing safety harnesses. I’ll never forget Ashley and Ingrid though, as they danced across the highest beam, nailing the trusses into place. Like tightrope artists, it was beautiful to see. And a little queasy-making too, even from my perch on the relative security of scaffolding.
Oh, and I’ve learned how to put up scaffolding. And take it down. And move it. And put it back up again.
There’s a lot of repetition with building a house.
There’s also been some weather — one cold day, where volunteer builders were looking for tea and coffee at break time — and the rest of them hot. Some very hot, some very humid, and one record-breaking hot and humid day.
My last day fell during Bring a Friend week so I brought one of my daughters and we worked together siding the back of the house. It was a great mother-daughter day and a fine way to wrap up my summer vacation.
I salute project manager Sharon Lewis, who is guiding the volunteer builders through each and every job. Every day a new set of women comes on site eager to get to work. Sharon is a master at harnessing their energy and honing new skills in her workers. She’s been patient, thorough, encouraging and good-humoured through it all.
The Women Build project is a little different from other Habitat for Humanity builds. Lunches are donated by local restaurants and grocery stores and they have been delicious and most welcome. Some days there are armchair massages, mini yoga or Pilates sessions to soothe our sore muscles.
Participants can also take the free skills building workshops that are offered. The last one was on drywalling: hanging, taping and filling. More of them will be organized as the work in the house becomes more specialized. No skills are required however, and the workshops are not mandatory.
Women Builders are being asked to do some fundraising since not all materials are donated. Raise $150 minimum and get three days on the site; commit to eight days of building for a $25 donation; or just sign on for fundraising if building is not in the cards for you. Every two weeks there will be a draw for incentive prizes for volunteers who raise more than the minimum.
Building takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays and we’re hoping to complete the project and hand over the keys in October.
More information is available at http://www.guelphwomenbuild.ca/ or http://www.habitatwellington.on.ca/
I’ll probably go back. I want to learn how to install kitchen cupboards, and since I’ve taken the drywall workshop, it would be nice to practise what I’ve learned.
I’m still hoping for some R&R, and floating on a lake still sounds refreshing. But I’ve never had a vacation that’s been as fulfilling.
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