MILTON — Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s 140 Women Builders began building their first home in Santa Rosa County this week.
“Over the last few months, women from all over the community have been working hard to raise $80,000 for the construction costs of a home they will build over the course of a week,” Sara Kim, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s event coordinator, said. “Aside from fundraising, Women Builders also learn construction skills, empower others and raise awareness for the need of quality affordable housing.”
Before construction kicked off, the group met to find out final results of the fundraising, which exceeded their goal at $84,606.03.
This is the fourth year of the Women Build program, and the first year they have built a house in Santa Rosa County. The home will be purchased by a single mother and her son with a zero interest mortgage.
Construction began Oct. 13 and concludes Oct. 21. Multiple local organizations sponsored the project with funds, supplies and labor, including Wind Creek Atmore, Gulf Power, Sacred Heart Health System, Navy Federal Credit Union, Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union, Anchor Pest Control, Pinnacle Cabinets and Closets and Richard Ingram Painting.
“As women, the impact a secure home has on a child’s future is a message that resounds strongly between and among us,” Mesha Boyle of the Women Build Leadership Team said.
Women Build teams include women from Bank of America; Baptist Hospital; Breathe Yoga; Emmanuel, Sheppard, & Condon; Gulf Power; HabiChix; Junior League; Krewe of SWAT; Levin Papantonio; Nature Trail; Sacred Heart Health System; Studer Group, The ONE; and the Women of Hillcrest as well as a number of individuals serving without affiliation, according to the press release.
The program has been in action since 1991 as a global initiative of Habitat for Humanity that focuses on providing no-interest, low-mortgage homes for families as well as offering an opportunity for women to take a proactive step in serving their communities.
No experience is necessary for those willing to join the program, and the women build under the guidance of construction professionals.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Women Builders construct group's first house in county