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 New Home Means Hope, Opportunity and a Brighter Future for the Williams Family
Cheyenne, WY
In September 2008, over 100 women throughout Cheyenne joined forces to learn more about “Women Build”; a Habitat for Humanity program, partially funded by a grant from the Wyoming Women's Foundation, which challenges women to build a better future for our nation’s children and a legacy of volunteerism for their own children. The Wyoming Women's Foundation was thrilled to support this exciting program that offers an opportunity for women from all walks of life to learn more about fundraising as well as gaining homebuilding skills. The Women Build Project addresses the issue of substandard housing and poverty by producing a home for a local family in need. Furthermore it also provides the women associated with it skills to help them increase their own economic self-sufficiency and give them a better understanding of philanthropy and they can organize and encourage philanthropic participation in their own communities. Since its launch in 1991, Habitat affiliates throughout the country have partnered with women in all walks of life to build more than 1,400 homes.
Over 12 million U.S. children live in poverty. In recognition of this issue, National Women Build Week is held in the days leading up to Mother’s Day. The weeklong build showcases the skills of current Women Build volunteers and motivates new volunteers to help families and transform communities. At the end of the week, hundreds of Habitat for Humanity's partner families will have the resources they need to improve their homes and lives.
On April 2, 2009, Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County surprised the Williams family by sharing the news that they had been selected as the recipients of the Laramie County Women Build home. After the initial shock, tears of joy began to fall, and with them, a new beginning was born. A Habitat for Humanity home will do more for the Williams family than provide safe and affordable housing; the home will provide a constant reminder that through hard work and determination goals can be achieved, no matter how large. The home will also provide the family a space to achieve other goals, study for school, explore and create lasting friendships and relations, and finally, pave the way for economic self-sufficiency. The Wyoming Women's Foundation believes that the stability a good home provides is a key factor in helping women help themselves. By choosing the Williams family, Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County is not only promoting the economic self-sufficiency of one mother, they are investing in the future of Wyoming through her children as well.
While there is much to celebrate, there is still more to do. Construction of the Women Build home will take place during National Women Build Week on May 2nd in Cheyenne. Construction will continue throughout the summer with an anticipated completion date of August 29, 2009 – just in time for the 2009/2010 school year.
Hundreds of volunteers will be needed to lend a hand and help make the American Dream of homeownership possible for the Williams family. To become a volunteer, visit www.cheyennehfh.org and click on the “VolunteerUp” icon. Registered volunteers can sign up for construction shifts, indicate if they are bringing friends and family as well as be notified via email if new volunteer opportunities become available. Spending just a few hours of your summer on the build site will change lives and strengthen the community, one home at a time.
To learn more about Women Build, contact Josh Nicholas, Director of Development at 307.214.1457 or josh@cheyennehfh.org
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