Habitat
for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry,
which strives to do away with homelessness and to "make decent shelter
a matter of conscience and action."
In 1998, Habitat for Humanity officially established the Women Build program to encourage female volunteers to really get involved in home building projects. Although by one account 50% of Habitat for Humanity's volunteer base is female, less than 15% of their on-site workers are women. The Women Build program empowers women by providing them with the skills they need in a non-threatening atmosphere.
Because construction is still a predominantly male field, oftentimes men are more at ease at Habitat's job sites. They are more familiar with tools and building in general. Jennifer Turner, Assistant Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity Tucson says that many women who work on "co-ed" projects tend to shy away from construction work, deferring to the men in their group and instead turn to jobs like painting, cleaning or landscaping. Such women rarely volunteer for a second project.
"Habitat Tucson's Women Build allows women interested in hands-on work like pounding nails to participate in construction in a female friendly environment," states Turner.
The Junior League of Tucson has worked with Habitat for many years as part of the League's "Done in a Day" projects. Last year, the group of over 160 active members participated in Women Build. This spring JLT's board discovered that Habitat was seeking monetary and volunteer support for the current year's Women Build project and decided to step up.
"This partnership is a good fit with our mission statement: improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers," says Amy Bhola, current president of Junior League of Tucson, Inc. "and although it's not meant literally, our tag line is 'Women Building Better Communities'."
JLT's board acknowledged that the partnership would be a good match and recommended that a $10,000 grant and volunteer hours be approved. The proposal was met with an enthusiastic "yes!" by the League's members.
On Monday, May 7 of this year, Habitat for Humanity's Tucson Women Build began construction on the house that will be home to Tucson resident Ismet Osmani and his family. Junior League of Tucson volunteers, alongside Tucson First Lady Beth Walkup and other women volunteers worked two shifts that day to raise the walls of the Osmani house.
Bhola heartily adds, "We look forward to continuing our relationship with Habitat for Humanity and the Women Build."
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity Tucson, including Women Build, call Johanna Duffek, Volunteer Services Manager at 520.326.1217 or visit www.habitattucson.org.
For information on how you can become involved with Junior League of Tucson, Inc., go online to www.juniorleagueoftucson.org or call 520.299.5753.
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
