[Video] Highlights from Women Build 2018

We were counting down the days to Women Build, presented by Excel Homes, all year and it didn’t disappoint! Your continued support has woven Women Build into the Habitat fabric, and made it something we can’t imagine going without.

Over six days in May, more than 200 women helped build homes in Bowness, working under the guidance of experienced construction professionals.

• $165,000 raised ($30,000 more than our goal!)
• 687 donors
• Helping 10 families buy first their home through Habitat in Bowness

We can do it when the community comes together

"Excel Homes is a company that feels passionately about its people and responsibilities, which is why we are honoured to be part of Women Build for the third year in a row. We know affordable housing is a serious problem within our city, which is why we feel so strongly about helping those in need.”

- STEPHANIE CHAPMAN OF EXCEL HOMES, WOMEN BUILD’S FOUNDATION TITLE SPONSOR

Women Build participants seemed to feel the same. “Fantastic,” one participant said. “I volunteer a ton and this is now absolutely in my top three things I’ve ever done.”

Having a lasting impact on families

Women Build is our flagship fundraising event of the year and the money raised is a major contribution to the cost of building these homes, and a way for participants to make a lasting impact on the lives of families.

"This is a great event because you get to have fun, learn new skills, laugh, create connections with your coworkers and meet new friends. But more importantly, you’re going to change the world for the families who, like me, just needed the chance ”

-  christina, habitat homeowner

About the Bowwood Development

During Women Build, participants helped to build two five-plexes in the northwest Calgary community of Bowness. Each of these homes is:

• Three bedroom, 1.5 baths 
• Energy efficient to reduce costs of utilities and water 
• Close to schools, public transportation and other amenities
• Completion of the first five units are scheduled for this fall, and the next five early in 2019

Why Women Build?

From Canada to Kenya, the U.S. to the U.K., women have come together to make a difference in their community and help other families build better lives. Women have certainly always been an integral part of home building at Habitat for Humanity.

Right now, more than 4,000 people are on the waitlist for social housing in Calgary. Our city is expensive, and women and children are the populations most likely to be affected by housing instability.

Women Build provides the opportunity for hundreds of women to take a proactive step in building strength, stability and independence for families through affordable home ownership.

As an extension to Habitat for Humanity’s ongoing Build Day program, we set aside six days every May exclusively for women to fundraise and build homes with us.

Working under the guidance of experienced construction professionals, Women Build is a great way to involve your employees, colleagues, friends and family in crucial work that has a lasting impact.

Stay tuned for news on next year’s Women Build, and reach out if you or your company would like to be involved!

See you in 2019!