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We’re building a house with a future Habitat family from the ground up...in 6 months! All female members of the RWU community are invited to participate. This project is not about excluding men - it's about involving women, bringing them together from all walks of life to actively address the problem of children in poverty.
RWU sent 10 volunteers to the sites in October and December. Three dates have been added for spring 2008 - February 20th and 28th and March 1st. |
| Three women from RWU volunteered on Friday, October 26th and worked alongside 12 female inmates from the RI Adult Correctional Institute as well as volunteer contractors. Work consisted of framing rooms and beginning the roofing. Lunch for the entire worksite was generously provided by Bon Appetit at RWU. |
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Stephanie Ingalls ’07, the AmeriCorps*VISTA working in the Feinstein Center, said, "It was truly a great experience working with a group of women that come from all different backgrounds, but share the commonality of one goal. With just a hammer and a hard hat I learned the art of carpentry. I really enjoyed the opportunity to try something new!” |
| Junior Jacqueline Blum from Harrington Park, NJ spent most of the day on the scaffolding surrounding the second floor, installing plywood sheets for the roof. A psychology/education major, Jaqui was able to put her experience building decks with her father to good use. "I had no idea what to expect when I showed up to the site that morning. As we ascended higher and higher on the roof, dangling from the side of the house, I felt no different than the inmate next to me. It was a feeling of complete trust as we helped each other; I definately felt a sense of sisterhood. It was truly an amazing experience that I hope to do time and time again." |
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KC Ferrara, Director of the Feinstein Center said, "When you sit down and think about the family that will occupy this space in March, it's moving because you know you played a part in not only building their home, but their future."
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A family of four, including three children, will occupy the four-bedroom home on Potters Avenue in Providence in March 2008. All Habitat for Humanity families are required to invest “sweat equity” and work alongside the volunteers throughout the building process.
This allows homeowners to learn home maintenance, something many families who have lived in shelters or housing projects have had little experience with. Their participation also gives them an emotional investment in the home’s creation, tying them not only to the structure but the community that built it.
An eight-women crew of RWU builders will return to the site on Saturday, December 15th. The project is in Providence and shifts are 8am – 3pm. Lunch is provided and transportation can be arranged. Space is limited – sign up now!
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