Sussex County Habitat for Humanity will celebrate National Women Build Week on May 1st as women from across Sussex County gather on Gibson Street in Laurel. The women will install blueboard installation designed to help Habitat achieve Energy Star certification for the twin townhome. The group plans to take a lunch break at 11:30 to hear comments from Delaware officials and dignitaries supporting Women Build.
National Women Build Week is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women to make a difference by building homes and communities. The program seeks to encourage women volunteers to further the home-building mission of Habitat for Humanity. Since Women Build’s official creation in 1998, Women Build volunteers have constructed more than 1,600 homes around the world. In 2009, volunteers helped build an additional 252 Women Build houses. One of those homes was constructed in Seaford, Delaware by the 2009 Women Build team.
National Women Build Week is Habitat’s signature Women Build event in the United States. Held each year during the week leading up to Mother’s Day, the weeklong event challenges women to devote at least one day to helping eliminate poverty housing.
National Women Build Week began in 2007 and was developed through the partnership between Habitat and Lowe’s, the underwriter of the Women Build program. Each year, thousands of volunteers participate at more than 200 Habitat worksites, helping build houses and raise awareness for our mission.
Women Build does not exclude men. It’s more of an explicit inclusion of women in a field where women don’t get much of a chance to explore, and many times the experience opens doors to
opportunities women may not have had before. Men are often involved in training projects and act in supportive roles or as subcontractors when needed. Sussex County women are encouraged to come take a chance to learn some new skills and gain confidence in a new area.
Women from all walks of life and all levels of experience who want to learn how to swing a hammer, frame out a window, or fix plumbing take part. You don’t have to walk and chew gum while patting your head and humming the “Star Spangled Banner.” You just have to be willing to learn, follow direction, able to work in a team, meet nice people, and want to have fun. Don’t worry if you think you don’t have any skills … You will learn as you volunteer with guidance of crew leaders, fellow volunteers, and on-going “how-to” clinics sponsored by Lowes’ Millsboro store.
