Salisbury, Md. — Women volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County came together and raised their hammers for International Women Build week, a weeklong multi-continent effort to build homes for low-income, hardworking families. Habitat for Humanity International, Lowe’s and approximately 6,000 women volunteers united in communities across the U.S., India and Canada for International Women Build Week to highlight the global need for safe and affordable housing.
This global event, which took place from March 1 to March 8, aimed to build and repair nearly 540 homes while raising awareness of housing issues facing women and their families.
“It is very important to us to not only make sure women feel empowered by using tools and building materials to help change the fabric of the community,” said Molly Hilligoss, director of Wicomico Habitat, “but also to highlight the challenges women in particular face in the housing market. We are grateful to Lowe’s for the support they have given.”
Habitat for humanity of Wicomico County was selected along with 234 other locations to receive $5,000 grants from the International Women Build Week program from Lowe’s. This event marks the beginning construction stages for the home that will eventually be sold at a 0% interest mortgage to Dolores Jones, a hardworking single mother.
Groups of volunteers from the Salisbury Lowe’s, Perdue Farms, M&T Bank, and the Salisbury Rollergirls came out to help with the exterior framing for the new build.
“Board by board, we and the other volunteers are creating something that will completely change a family’s life,” said Anna “Pow” Powers, skater and board member for the nonprofit Salisbury Rollergirls. “That is incredibly heartwarming to be a part of.”
Since its start in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County has been devoted to building safe, reasonably priced housing for low-income families in the Wicomico area. In the past 32 years, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County has built or rehabbed more than 80 homes.
About Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County
As a Christian housing ministry, Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people of all faiths to make home ownership of decent, affordable homes a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County was founded in 1987; since then the affiliate has built 68 homes locally. Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent homes with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments come back to the affiliate to help build more homes for more families.
