GTA Construction Report staff writer
Through the extraordinary efforts of more than 300 women volunteer builders, sponsors, donors and tradespeople, Habitat Niagara turned over on Oct. 5 a new-two unit semi-detached home for two families in Welland.
Niagara-area radio personality Lori Love from sponsor 105.7 EZ Rock congratulated the many hardworking women who helped build the homes over the past three months. Love herself participated in the construction, relating that “there’s nothing better than women working together for a cause.”
Habitat for Humanity Niagara’s Women Build program promoted the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes by hosting build projects with the majority of the planning and execution undertaken by women volunteers. Volunteer women builders, in partnership with construction professionals from the community, built this two-unit home throughout the summer. This build was not about excluding men, but actively including women.
“There have been Women Builds happening in Habitat affiliates all over Canada for many years and we ware thrilled to have one of this magnitude here in Niagara,” said Habitat Niagara’s CEO Alastair Davis. “We could not have achieved this without the hard work of our Women Build Steering Committee, led by Tara Christensen of PEC Roofing and Yvonne Hendriks of Homes by Hendricks, and the phenomenal support of our community.
“We both jumped at the chance to work on Habitat’s first Women Build. We have both been involved with Habitat in the past and truly enjoyed our experience and hope that though this project, many more women will be encouraged to get involved in the industry,” said Chjristensen.
The homes are the 47th and 48th that Habitat Niagara has built since its inception in 1993.
“It’s fitting we have chosen today to dedicate these two homes as it is World Habitat Day which globally recognizes the basic right of all humanity to adequate shelter which is a critical foundation for strengthening families and our communities,” said Gay Douglas, a member of Habitat Niagara’s board of directors.
Moving into 38 and 42 Bald St. are the Jean Charles family and the Timothee family, with a total of eight children (four in each). Both families had immigrated from Haiti.
