Volunteers needed for Habitat's Women Build Week

Women in Northern Fox Valley are invited to volunteer May 3, 7, 9, and 10 during Habitat for Humanity's seventh annual National Women Build Week.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is one of more than 300 Habitat affiliates nationwide hosting Women Build projects with the support of Lowe's, Habitat's longtime partner in the event.

National Women Build Week, held May 3-11, challenges women to devote at least one day to building simple, decent and affordable housing in their local communities. More than 52,000 women volunteers from all 50 states have participated in previous years.

"We are excited to participate in National Women Build Week," said Barbara Beckman, executive director of Habitat-Northern Fox Valley. "This is a great opportunity for women of all skill levels to come together to help a family in need."

To date, women volunteers have helped construct more than 2,200 Habitat houses nationwide. Locally, Habitat-Northern Fox Valley has built one Women Build house. This is the first time participating in National Women Build Week for Habitat-Northern Fox Valley.

Lowe's helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008, and each year provides the support of Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills. This year, Lowe's contributed $1.75 million to National Women Build Week as part of a new five-year partnership with Habitat that will bring Lowe's total contributions to more than $63 million since 2003.

In celebration of this renewed partnership, Lowe's and Habitat launched Hammers for Habitat, a volunteer initiative inviting men and women across America to give one day to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for a family in their community. To learn more, visit Habitat.org/Lowes.

No construction skills are necessary. To volunteer or donate to this project, call (847) 836-1432 or email Olivia Vlahos, volunteer coordinator, at olivia.vlahos@habitatnfv.org.

Visit Habitat.org/wb for more information on National Women Build Week.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

As all affiliates, its mission is to build, rehab and preserve homes for qualifying families in our area.

Founded in 1990, Northern Fox Valley focuses its efforts in Carpentersville, Elgin, St. Charles and the surrounding area.

Their local goal is "Twice the Homes in Half the Time." In its first two decades, this Habitat chapter built 60 homes for partner families. The objective for the next decade is to build or rehab 120 homes from 2011 through 2020. They are currently focused on rehabbing foreclosed and abandoned homes to help revitalize the neighborhoods.

To expand its mission of preserving affordable housing, they are helping homeowners in need rejuvenate the exterior of their existing homes through "A Brush With Kindness" program. This program bolsters the pride of homeownership, revitalizes the appearance of the neighborhood, encourages connections within the community, and helps preserve affordable housing stock.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is governed by a board of directors and has active committees including family selection, family support services, construction and fundraising. All of these activities are staffed by volunteers, who are the life blood of the organization and the foundation of its ability to control costs.

The organization also benefits from the support of four partnerships which are groups of local churches, civic groups, and businesses. Partnerships raise funds and mobilize volunteers to build one house per year.