Women Build Project
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County is excited to start it’s 2025 Women Build project. Future homeowner, Laura is building her home with us in Barberton. Our goal is to have this home built and funded entirely by passionate women that want to help build stronger, safer communities in Summit County.
Meet Future Homeowner, Laura
Laura, a caseworker at Job and Family Services with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, applied to Habitat’s Homeownership Program hoping to create a more stable life for her two sons, Johnny and Tylan. The recent passing of her grandfather brought back cherished memories of family gatherings, laughter, and love in his yard, and inspired her to provide a similar safe haven for her children.
Outside of work, where Laura enjoys helping others, she and her sons love watching movies, being outdoors, cooking, and playing pranks on each other. They eagerly anticipate owning their own home, where Johnny and Tylan can have their own rooms and a safe yard to play in. For Laura, homeownership represents the biggest investment she can make in her sons’ future, a legacy to pass down.
Expressing her gratitude to Habitat’s donors and volunteers, Laura said, “Thank you for your continued support and donations. Lending a hand in building the foundation and walls of what will be a beautiful house is a wonderful start. I’ve gained another family through this experience—a family brought together by Habitat, donors, and volunteers. Your love and generosity are overwhelming; a simple ‘thank you’ isn’t enough! My children, future grandchildren, and I thank you and appreciate you for building our family’s foundation.”
Donate to the Project
*Please label your donation with the text ‘Women Build’ in the notes area on the donation processing page. Thank you!
Donate $100 to sponsor a wall panel in Laura’s home. Your volunteer group will come decorate a wall panel with paint pens, stickers, writings, scripture… any blessings you want to leave for Laura! These special walls will be a part of her home for generations to come. This is a great opportunity for women who aren’t able to participate on the construction site but who are still looking for way to to support Laura in her journey to achieving homeownership.
Volunteer on the Site
Ladies, we need your support!
Women Build 2024: Emily
In 2024 we started building with Emily in the North Hill Neighborhood at our Silver Maple Ridge development. Emily and her three children, Evelynne (22), Chloe (19), and Jack (9), supported their mother through the homeownership program in many ways including volunteering on the build site, baking cookies for the volunteer, and helping at homeowner education classes.
Emily is a Fine and Performing Arts Teacher at a small, private school. Her oldest daughter, Evelynne, is a senior at The University of Akron and is earning her Bachelors of Nursing. Chloe is studying Fashion Merchandising at Kent State University. Jack, Emily’s youngest child, attends the school where she works and enjoys swim classes, baseball, and singing in the church choir.
When asked what the family would like to share with our donors and volunteers, Emily stated, “Our appreciation could not be explained in words. We thought homeownership, after a devastating divorce, was just a dream. This home significantly impacted our lives then, and will continue to impact our future thanks to you!”
Thank you for supporting Emily through her time in our homeownership program and supporting her build.
Build With Us
What is Women Build?
Since 1991, Women Build volunteers from all walks of life have come together with Habitat for Humanity affiliates to build stronger, safer communities across the U.S. Women Build events provide the opportunity for women to take a proactive step in serving their communities. Any woman who wants to learn how to build and construct a home is invited to join us. No experience is necessary!
Volunteers work under the guidance of construction professionals, and also alongside other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners. Whether you are learning new skills or simply adding a few to your tool belt, this is a rewarding experience for all involved, and improves the community that you share.
How does Habitat empower women?
The goal of Women Build is to empower women to help families build strength, stability and independence. We at Habitat have the ability to provide opportunities for hands-on learning, and given these tools, women can succeed in changing their communities.
Are men allowed?
Yes, men are welcome. Some of the training staff or other volunteers may be men on the worksite. Women Build provides a place for women to learn the skills needed to build a home, but that does not exclude men from pariticipating.
Women Build 2023: Ashley
In 2023, Ashley achieved her dreams and became a homeowner in the Rolling Acres neighborhood. Her hard work and dedication to completing her sweat equity volunteer hours through Habitat’s homeownership program provided a stable and safe home for her two daughters.
This project was made possible thanks to the many local women who supported Ashley and built with her, side by side, on the built site as well as donated to her home. Not all women are comfortable or able to volunteer on the construction site so we offer other ways women can support our Women Build project and the priciples it stands for.