Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity just wrapped up their 16th Annual Women Build! This event was only possible thanks to roof raiser sponsors Chmpionship Martial Arts, Bombshell Blow Dry Bar, PNC Bank and The Salon Professional Academy.
This annual event seeks to ensure every woman has agency, equity and a strong voice in her community. It provides opportunities for women volunteers to participate in homebuilding and repair activities to help build stronger, safer communities. Women Build events happen at Habitats all over the world!
Our Lakeshore Habitat Women Build event, which ran May-July, was stronger than ever in its 16th year thanks to the eleven businesses sponsors who rallied to support it. With their help, every "Women Build" volunteer group was able to participate in an individualized volunteer experience on their specific build days, where they were provided Habitat swag, event t-shirts, lunch on site and more.
Women Build 2023 kicked off at the same time Lakeshore Habitat journeys with 12 female homeowner partners - many of which participated in this year's Women Build event as they work to complete their sweat equity hours towards their home and their neighbors'. Many people think Lakeshore Habitat “gives” homes away, but in reality, these female homeowner partners participate in financial literacy and homeownership classes, complete hundreds of volunteer hours on the construction site, and then purchase an affordable mortgage from Lakeshore Habitat.
"What a joy it's been to see Women Build continue to grow,” shared Lakeshore Habitat Volunteer Coordinator Travis Steinhoff. “Last year was our biggest year ever but this year’s volunteers and sponsors have already blown that out of the water. It's exciting to see new groups who have never volunteered out on the construction site helping make affordable homeownership a reality for future Lakeshore Habitat homeowners."
24 volunteer groups signed up to be part of Women Build and volunteer at Vista Green or Buttermilk Creek Townhomes throughout the summer- that's over 300 women investing over 830 hours on Lakeshore Habitat construction sites, helping make affordable housing accessible to families in our community who make 30-80% of the area median income, and never thought homeownership was within reach.
Rachel Anouthai, of Championship Martial Arts shared, “We sponsor Women Build to bless the community we live in and serve, and to offer an opportunity to share this awesome project of building homes with others who are passionate about giving back!”
“PNC Bank is proud to sponsor this outstanding build event, which helps so many people in our community,” said Sean Welsh, PNC regional president for Western Michigan. “I want to thank all of the volunteers who are donating their time and effort to make this event its usual success.”
Rachel Harned of Bombshell Blow Dry Bar shared, “Bombshell and The Salon Professional Academy are so excited to sponsor Women Build this year as a way to help our community provide affordable housing as well as represent women and the strength we have in business and home life! We love supporting other women as they provide for their families and encourage women to become active members in the community! Pay it forward! Our team can’t wait to help build lives!”
This event has impact each year because of the community that invests in it. Thank you to every business, sponsor, volunteer, and woman who made Women Build 2023 the best year yet!
If you're interested in participating in Women Build 2024 or other Lakeshore Habitat events, reach out to us for more information: volunteer@lakeshorehabitat.org