Category

Women Build

Mar 06
0

Women Build Celebrates 10 Years with $350,000 Goal

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INDIANAPOLIS, March 6, 2023 – Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity launched the 2023 Women Build, celebrating a decade of women empowering women. Throughout this multi-month initiative, more than 500 women will build two homes in partnership with the future homeowners and raise funds to support affordable housing. Since 2014, Women Build, Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity’s largest individual fundraising campaign, has raised $1.4 million and built 12 homes. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the goal is to raise $350,000 through Women Build in 2023, its highest annual fundraising goal to date. 

“Too many members of our community are housing cost-burdened, paying 50% or more of their income on housing,” said Abri Hochstetler, Vice President of Development & Communications for Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity. “Women Build increases much-needed awareness of this issue and empowers women from all walks of life to be part of the solution by creating more affordable housing.” 

When Women Build started in 2014, Habitat’s cost of building a new home was around $70,000. Today, that’s closer to $180,000. The rising costs make housing affordability for members of the community more challenging. This year, Women Build will construct two homes with the 2023 homebuyers: the Jones family and the Kendrick family. 

The Jones Family
Latrina (Trina) has two daughters, Taniya (20) and Raeya (12). After dealing with tough relationships and family deaths, Trina is looking forward to providing stability for her family through homeownership. She currently works for Republic Services and plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in order to become a juvenile corrections counselor. She also plans to start investing in college savings for Raeya. 

The Kendrick Family
Dashay (Shay) is mom to two young sons; Daniel (6) and Dior (2). She works for Ascension St. Vincent Hospital as a patient monitor. Shay and her boys have been living in an apartment where, in addition to dealing with theft and insufficient maintenance, she also fears her children playing outside. She shared, “My goal is to make sure my boys can go outside and play…and to have them feel safe again.” 

Trina and Shay have completed classes to prepare them for successful homeownership and will be involved in building their homes. Like all Greater Indy Habitat homes, Women Build homes are sold with 0% interest mortgages so they are affordable to families, empowering them to build equity and find stability. The mortgage payments cycle back into the community to help build more affordable housing.

Building will commence on Saturday, April 15 and continue through July with a home dedication to follow. To learn more about Women Build, visit indyhabitat.org/women-build. To donate, visit indyhabitat.org/wb. To get involved, contact womenbuild@indyhabitat.org.

 

About Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. We envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Since 1987 Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 1,600 families globally relocate from substandard and poverty housing into decent and affordable homes. More than 1,000 of these homeowners are here in our community of Greater Indianapolis, including the 14 Women Build homeowners, and 580 homeowners are in Central America. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. The foundations laid by Habitat go far beyond the physical structure of a home. Habitat for Humanity builds strength, stability, and independence through homeownership. To learn more or get involved, visit indyhabitat.org.

Jul 26
0

Meet our 2022 Women Build Homeowners

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All Women – fundraising, building, and changing lives! Since 2014 the Greater Indy Women Build has become an integral part of our mission. Celebrating their 9th year, Women Build has once again reached above and beyond with a new fundraising record to bring safe and affordable housing to women in the Greater Indy area. Thank you for making LaKesha and Teaisha’s dreams of homeownership come true!

Jan 31
1

Why I Build: Amber & Stacey

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In our fifth year of building and funding a home completely by women, our 2018 Women Build co-chairs Amber Dagit and Stacey Stuteville share why they dedicate their time and talent to this project and mission.

Why I Build

Amber Dagit, 2018 Women Build Co-Chair
“I joined the Women Build in 2016 as a Builder to make an impact in my community. When I realized the impact to each individual builder when I joined the committee in 2017, I found my why. When a woman volunteers for Women Build, she may do something that she has never done before…like leading a team, fundraising for a cause she believes in, or using a power tool. She takes that spark to her family, to her work, and to her life. That spark is unbelievably powerful and it starts with one person. That is Why I Build – because of each of our builders.”

Stacey Stuteville, 2018 Women Build Co-Chair
“This year will be my 4th Women Build and every year I am inspired by the women who roll up their sleeves to raise money for and build (from start to finish) a house for another woman in our community. Each day, as women, we do so much for our families, careers, friends, houses, etc…we’re busy and we’re getting it done…and probably killing it, because we’re women. What is truly inspiring about the Women Build is that all of these individual women, who are super busy in their own lives, come together and WE build a house and WE raise more than $125,000 and we lift up a fellow woman and we’re lifting up our community. And we use power tools.”

Thank you to our Women Builders for creating a spark, empowering others, and positively influencing our community!

Mar 17
1

Kick Off Event Recap: Amy

By | Builders Circle, Events, Homeowner, Tiger Team, Volunteer, Women Build | No Comments

This week we kicked-off our 30th year with more than 150 of our supporters. We are again is awe of the outpouring of support and encouragement that fills the room at this annual event.

We started the evening with a private reception for our Builders Circle members, allowing them a sneak peak at the info tables and more personalized attention speaking with our team about ways to get involved. President & CEO, Jim Morris, as well as future homeowner Amy Brown spoke to the members about the important role individual donors play in our mission and the need for continued growth in this area of support.

Once the doors opened for the public portion of the event, the “streets” of the DeveloperTown warehouse were flooded with individual, corporate, and faith-based supporters eager to learn more about the work we are doing in Indy and how they can be a part of it in 2017. We paused for a brief moment for Jim to share more about our plans in our 30th year and to recognize those who have gone above and beyond to support our mission.

We would like to thank our award recipients for their past and continued support:

  • “Frank Hartman” Volunteer of the Year: Jamie Gardner Hall
  • Legacy Corporate Partner: Eli Lilly & Company and Eli Lilly & Company Foundation
  • Build Sponsor of the Year: Davis Homes
  • Legacy Church Partner: St. Paul’s Episcopal

Thank you to everyone who was able to help us kick-off our 30th year. We hope you can find a way to join our work in 2017 as we unite to build homes, hope and community!

Special thanks to DeveloperTown, Sun King Brewery and Monarch Beverage Company, for helping make our Kickoff a success!

Feb 08
0

Why I Build: Jamie

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Jamie Gardner, 2017 Women Build Co-Chair, shares why she participates in the Women Build. 

Growing up, I was always taught that one of the most important things one can do is give back to our community. I am also a proud third generation builder, following in my father and grandfather’s footsteps through a male-dominated industry. So, when I was told about Habitat’s inaugural Women Build four years ago, I immediately was all in, because how synergistic was it to combine my desire to make the world a better place with what I do every day! Plus, I am always game for the opportunity to play with nail guns!

Little did I know at the time that I would get so much more out of Women Build than I could ever contribute. To see what women can do when we come together is truly awe-inducing. We have continually exceeded the financial goals we set each year and show no signs of slowing down. My favorite part of the experience is the build days where I see my friends who were scared to use a hammer at the beginning of the day, using a miter saw to cut siding like a boss by the end of it! That feeling of empowerment is powerful to not only experience, but to see in others.

At the end of the day, we truly are making a difference in our world. We are helping a family achieve their dream of homeownership, giving them the foundation they need to build a better future for themselves. I remember Ronnisha (last year’s homeowner) telling me that she wanted to show her daughter that where you come from doesn’t dictate where you have to be in life. This year’s homeowner, Andrea, wants to give her daughters a safe haven where she doesn’t have to worry about crime happening right outside of her door. After hearing that, how can you not become invested?! I would urge all women to get involved with Women Build because the experience of giving someone a hand up (not a hand-out!) will stay with you long after the last nail is hammered in, wall is painted and flower is planted. Women rock!

Learn more about the Women Build program, how you can support the 2017 build, or participate as a builder in 2018!

Jan 26
1

Why I Build: Sheryl

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Sheryl Lesem, 2017 Women Build Co-Chair, shares why she participates in the Women Build.

What first drew me to Women Build? I had heard about Habitat for Humanity for years through a friend whose father was very active in his Texas chapter. I was always intrigued. About four years ago, I knew I wanted to find more ways to give back and decided to research Indy Habitat. I came across the information on the website about the (first) Greater Indy Women Build and knew right away that was for me. Not just volunteering as a builder for Habitat, but a women specific build, that also required financially supporting it through my own donation and/or fundraising.

How long have I participated? This is my fourth year with the Greater Indy Habitat Women Build. Fourth year as a builder, two years as a Team Leader and two years serving on the advisory board.

Why is the Women Build important to our community? Not only does it provide an affordable home to a deserving and contributing family, it provides an outlet for many women to support Habitat through the funding and building of the home. Also, empowering these women to perhaps do something they’ve never done or ever thought they could do or would be interested in doing.

A favorite memory would be working with my teams, and seeing each of my builders glow with excitement and satisfaction on the build site.

Why get involved? Repeat of answer #3: It provides an outlet for many women to support Habitat through the funding and building of the home. Also empowering these women to perhaps do something they’ve never done or ever thought they could do or would be interested in doing.

Learn more about the Women Build program, how you can support the 2017 build, or participate as a builder in 2018!

Sep 27
0

Habitat Hosts Fourth Women Build in 2017

By | Volunteer, Women Build | No Comments

Women Funded, Women Built

Each year hundreds of women pick up hammers, power tools, and paintbrushes while leveraging their networks to raise funds and build a Habitat home. The Women Build program recruits, educates, and nurtures women to build and advocate for affordable houses in their communities. In 2017 we will host our fourth Women Build, with the support of women leaders and volunteers, for a first-time homeowner.

Women from all walks of life will work together to raise the funds and walls for the Women Build project. Together they will make up the more than 300 volunteers needed to construct the home. Friends and family will be recruited to support their work through a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign. From its inception in 2014, the volunteers of the Women Build project have raised more than $332,000 to provide homes for three families, and support the Greater Indy Habitat mission. View photos of the 2014, 2015, and 2016 builds!

Though team leader spots are filling up, we invite you to share your interest in learning more, or participating in 2017, by emailing womenbuild@indyhabitat.org.

Apr 19
0

Women Build

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The Habitat for Humanity Women Build program recruits, educates and nurtures women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in their communities. In 2015, 21 teams of passionate women raised more than $112,000 to help build a house for Janae and her children to call home. Women are now recruiting builders and raising funds for our third annual Women Build project. Learn more below!

Get involved in the 2016 Women Build!

Construction of the Women Build home relies on support from more than 300 women volunteers, who fund and build the house. Ways to get involved in Women Build:

  • Our team leader positions are filled for 2016, but if you are interested in becoming a volunteer builder, please contact us.
  • Make a donation to support one of our 2016 women builders!
  • Lend a hand to the Women Build by offering your expertise or company support through an in-kind donation. To discover what Habitat needs for construction and volunteer recognition, please contact womenbuild@indyhabitat.org.
  • Anyone is invited to get involved as a Women Build advocate! Spread the word by using #IndyWomenBuild on Facebook and Twitter.
Still have questions or interested in becoming a team leader next year? Contact us or check out our Women Build FAQ
Thank you to our 2015 Women Builders!
2015 Women Build Dedication