One of my favorite events I look forward to every year is the Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties Women Build. Women Build is Habitat for Humanity’s nationwide program to empower women to take action against poor housing conditions by recruiting, educating and inspiring women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities.

According to the Census Bureau, more than 16 million children are living in poverty. The good news is that since the program began in 1998, more than 2,100 homes have been built by women crews in the United States. For Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, this is the fourth year it has participated in Women Build.

Beginning in March of each year, women form teams to raise the money needed to renovate the homes. The women also physically renovate the homes, which are completed so they can be delivered to the families in May for Mother’s Day. This year, my team was comprised of members of the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association. We not only met our goal for the funds we pledged to raise, we also volunteered on various days to work on the home located in Cape Coral. The home was then officially dedicated to a wonderful mother, Vanessa Saez (pictured below), on May 10, 2014, just one day prior to Mother’s Day. There was an official Blessing of the Home, as well, at the dedication. It was an amazing experience!