Habitat wants women to build

Ideally, a new home for a single mom will be raised entirely by female volunteers.

By CARRIE RITCHIE
Published June 26, 2007

East Pasco Habitat for Humanity is challenging women to step up and grab a tool belt.

The organization is sponsoring a "Women Build" that's set to begin Oct. 20. Habitat is seeking about 250 female helpers, and it will host the first of two informational meetings for the build at 7 p.m. today in Dade City.

"We just think it's a good way for the women to get together and do something as a group for Habitat, " said Karen Streaker, Habitat's director of development and public relations.

Plus, the volunteers will be helping other women. The home will go to a single mom and her three daughters during the holiday season.

Streaker said the East Pasco chapter sponsored a Women Build about seven years ago and had 90 people at its informational meeting. They're hoping to duplicate their results this year.

Habitat won't turn down male volunteers, but the goal is to have women do as much of the work as possible.

"Women get a bad rap all the time for not being able to do anything construction-related, " said Natalie Sotomayor, the contractor for the build. "If women can build the whole home themselves, that really shows something."

Women shouldn't be hesitant to volunteer if they don't know much about construction, Streaker said. Lowe's in Zephyrhills will offer free instructional courses for the volunteers before the build. Local contractors and specialists will also be at the build site to give pointers during construction, Sotomayor said.

If getting dirty just isn't an option, they also need volunteers to provide food to builders, work fundraisers and do various support tasks.

"There are a lot of different ways to help if they're not able to actually hammer a nail, " Streaker said.

Since the build will cost about $55, 000, money is always appreciated, too.

Though Sotomayor said area construction and supply companies have donated more than $20, 000 in materials and labor, they must raise more.

They've organized a couple of fundraisers already.

A wine and cheese tasting in September will kick off the build. The event will feature a bake sale during which men must bake and sell goodies while sporting pink aprons.

Nine local restaurants will donate 10 percent of their profits July 11 and Aug. 8 to Habitat, and part of that will go toward the Women Build, Streaker said.

The build has a few volunteers already.

Emine Ishmaku, the home's future owner, works as a housekeeper at Florida Hospital in Zephyrhills. Several hospital managers and directors are participating in the build, said Susan Thibodeau, the hospital's director for environmental services and Ishmaku's supervisor.

Ishmaku has worked at the hospital for almost four years. The 38-year-old immigrated to the States from Albania after her husband of 17 years passed away. Now, she lives with her three daughters, ages 15 to 2 years old, in low-income apartments in Zephyrhills.

Thibodeau said Ishmaku is well-liked, and that employees are excited to help out because the cause is so personal.

"She's a single mom, she does a dynamic job with her home and work life, " Thibodeau said. "It's just very well-deserved."

Ishmaku said she's elated to have a home. And she'll be working right alongside the other female builders to fulfill her required "sweat equity" hours.

Though she doesn't know much about construction either, she said she's confident that she - and all women - can learn because she's already had to struggle to get to this point.

"I came from far away and started my life, " she said. "I had nothing. I didn't know English. But everything you can learn."

If you go

Information sessions

East Pasco Habitat for Humanity will hold two informational meetings about the Women Build.

First meeting

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Calvary Assembly of God Gymnasium, 13544 Highway 98 Bypass, Dade City

Second meeting

When: 7 p.m. July 10

Where: Wesley Chapel Toyota, I-75 and State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

For more information, call (352) 567-1444 or visit www.ephabitat.org.

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 22:45:06]