Hundreds of women build homes for community

More than 200 women participated in National Women Build Week hosted by Habitat for Humanity Berkeley County and Lowe's.

More than 200 women came together to provide affordable housing for Moncks Corner residents.

Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County and Lowe’s hosted the annual National Women Build Week May 5 through May 19 where women devoted time to build decent and affordable homes for the community. More than a dozen elected officials, local organizations and hundreds of women from all over supported the effort.

“Since 1991, Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County has been uniting strong women volunteers of all experience levels in our community to build or repair homes alongside our hardworking, empowered Habitat homeowners,” said George Druyos, HFHBC CEO, in a press release. “We continue to be thankful for the support of the local Lowe’s employees for their dedication to improving Berkeley County.”

Female volunteers swung hammers, installed exterior windows, and put up ply board to help construct homes at George and Jenkins streets in Moncks Corner. 

Rebecca Collett and Mayci McLeod of WCBD, Leyla Gulen of Fox24 Charleston, SC Representative Sylleste Davis, and VP of HR for Roper St. Francis Melanie Stith also participated in the event.

HFHBC marketing and resource development representative Alex Dixon said Habitat was pleased with the turnout of mothers and daughters who spent Mother’s Day weekend bonding through community service.

“A lot of mother and daughters came together actually getting their hands dirty,” Dixon said. “Putting windows up…a lot of them surprised themselves. They exceeded our expectations.”

The homes will be owned by two single mothers – one of which was homeless. The future homeowner was overcome with emotion as she prepared to receive her new dwelling.

“All she could do was cry,” Dixon said.

Lowe’s helped start National Women Build Week in 2008 and has brought toghether more than 117,000 all-women construction volunteers to build or repair homes with nearly 5,000 families over the past 10 years, according to a HFHBC press release.

The build week initiative aligns with Lowe’s and Habitat’s mission to provide every person with a decent place to call home.

A 2018 survey by Habitat and Lowe’s found that more than nine-in-10 American women believe providing and advocating for access to affordable housing for women can benefit society. Additional, the survey found:

● Nearly all women (98 percent) agree access to affordable housing helps women heads of household thrive.

● Having a safe, stable home is a source of pride (96 percent) that makes women feel more confident (98 percent) and independent (97 percent).

● Three-in-five (62 percent) women say they cannot afford to purchase a home that meets their family’s needs in the neighborhood where they want to live.

“Far too often, low-income families are faced with choosing between paying their housing costs and buying basic necessities like food and medical care to provide for their family,” the press release said. “National Women Build Week recruits, educates and inspires women to build, and advocate for decent and affordable houses in their communities alongside their future neighbors—making a difference in their community, one nail at a time.”

Lowe’s donated $2 million this year to Habitat to support the build week. Berkeley County’s Habitat raised several thousand dollars that will be reinvested into providing affordable housing.