Page 69 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2018

Women Build Homes
IN JACKSON AND HARRISON COUNTIES
story by Susan Ruddiman photos courtesy of Habitat for Humanity
One of the most successful community partnerships Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast (HFHMGC) has formed is through its annual Women Build project. In 2018, more than 330 volunteers built two homes. The Harrison County group’s home was in Gulfport and the Jackson County group worked on a home in Ocean Springs. This was the first time two homes were built at the same time.
“Habitat empowered Gulf Coast women to improve their communities by emphasizing that every one person can make a difference,” said Angela Singletary, volunteer specialist with HFHMGC.
The two builds were held for five weeks in the spring, timed to be around the National Women Build Week, an annual partnership with Lowe’s to bring women together to raise funds and devote at least one day to helping families build strength, stability and independence through housing. The week is designed to spotlight home ownership challenges faced by women. In addition, the build emphasizes that every woman can make a difference through learning and using construction skills.
The team leaders recruited six other women who together raised $2,500 and spent a day on the building site swinging a hammer, running a skill saw, brushing on paint or landscaping.
RPM Pizza Inc., Habitat ReStore, Ft. Bayou Wine and Spirits and Grand Magnolia and Scranton’s were co- sponsors of the Camaraderie Parties that allowed for the Women Build participants to come together in friendship. As a big thank you, more
than 100 Women Build participants attended a post breakfast on June 21 hosted by Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville. LuAnn Pappas and employees of Scarlet Pearl believed the Habitat’s mission was strong enough to become a valuable community partner.
These Women Build homes have proven to be successful. Realtor David Belcher with Keller Williams Realty referred a young family to HFHMGC after seeing the 2017 house listed. The couple, landscaper Daniel and stay-at-home mother Alyssa were shopping for their first home with their one year old son Elliot. “They were naturally very excited and experienced so many emotions since it would be their first owned home.
They just walked around the house with smiles and didn’t say much,” Belcher said. “They were so ready to call this beautiful place home.”
The couple met the requirements set by HFHMGC, and went to work.
“They went through our Financial Education classes, and worked with
one of our staff through our one-on-one coaching sessions,” said Becky Ginn, major donor and corporate gift officer. “They put in sweat equity on the home, and loved working with the volunteers.”
2018 Women Build facts:
TWO COUNTIES TWO HOMES FIVE WEEKS 55 TEAMS
344 BUILDERS 2,408 HOURS
VOLUNTEERED $154,936 RAISED
2018 Women Build sponsors:
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
Ingalls Shipbuilding Navigator Credit Union Boomtown Casino Biloxi/Hollywood Casino MS Gulf Coast Chancellor Inc.
SPONSORS AND BUILD TEAMS ARE BEING RECRUITED FOR THE 2019 WOMEN BUILD. Call Becky Ginn or Angela Singletary at 228.698.9100 to reserve a spot.
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