Women empowered in Habitat for Humanity build in West Chicago

Liz Rangel was among the many women lined up outside a DuPage Habitat for Humanity build in West Chicago, anxiously waiting her turn to learn how to use a power saw.

The Naperville woman was helping with the construction of a new home during the organization's annual Women Build, which drew in dozens of women volunteers from Sept. 12-19.

"We want to build up our community, but we want the individuals who are coming here to walk away with functional skills that empowers them as well," said Samantha Fisher, director of development for DuPage Habitat for Humanity.

Rangel said power tool demonstrations held each morning at the work site helped her "overcome the fear" of using big tools and doing her own home improvement projects.

"I could do my own siding now!" she said with a laugh. "I think it empowers a woman and make a woman feel that she can do things that typically are not expected of a woman. I think that's positive."

The sounds of sawing, drilling and nailing could be heard from a block away in the Pioneer Prairie subdivision, which includes other homes previously constructed by Habitat.

"They can look around and see what their hard work will turn into," Fisher said. "This whole subdivision - it used to be a blighted piece of land - has been revitalized by these Habitat homes."

Inside the home, volunteers moved quickly throughout the half-constructed space. Some were painting in the basement, while others worked together to put up drywall.

"Are you OK using that power saw?" one man asked, hesitation in his voice.

"Yes!" a woman quickly replied. "I got it!"

Men weren't turned away from the build - in fact, Wheaton native Jim Belushi joined the volunteers on Sept. 12 - but Fisher said the week provided an opportunity "to get energetic gals working together to build homes, community and hope for families in need."

"They love it," she said. "You start the day and everyone is maybe a little shy and apprehensive. And then one person starts to use the saw, the next person starts to use the power drill and then it's like this confidence just builds throughout the day. It really is infectious."

Kelly Mahoney, of Addison, said she hasn't built many things in her own home, but Women Build gave her insight on "how easy everything is."

"It makes everything more approachable at home," she said.

Mahoney said she was also amazed by how much pride the people in the neighborhood took in their homes.

"They helped build this," she said. "These are not only their homes, they're a ticket to a new life."

A family from Burma will be moving into the Women Build home later this year. Fisher said to qualify, families must demonstrate a financial need, take homeownership classes and learn how to manage a budget. In addition, everyone age 16 or older who will be living in the home must contribute more than 250 hours of volunteering to the organization.

Once all the requirements are met, the family can move in and obtain a 30-year, no-interest mortgage.

"I think the misconception sometimes is we give homes away, but actually the families, what they're doing is earning an affordable mortgage," Fisher said. "These people work for their home."