Habitat for Humanity Women Build Week Empowers Buffalo Volunteers

“I’ve never known women who wanted to intervene,” she said. “When I first got this job, an uncle took me aside and said, ‘What if you’re really bad at this?’ »

So it was a triumph last week when she served as construction crew leader for dozens of female volunteers building two homes on Winslow Avenue on Buffalo’s East Side as part of International Home Building Week. women of Habitat for Humanity.

The initiative is led by women at all levels, from fundraising to construction, and will result in the construction of two new homes for families in need. Even the catering came from a women-owned restaurant, and a special one at that: Ethiopian lunches for the crew came from Abyssinia at the Downtown Bazaar, owned by former Habitat buyer Zelalem Gemmeda.

“It really comes full circle for us to be able to help her become a homeowner and now to be able to support her as a business owner in the community,” said Jess French, development manager at Habitat for Humanity Buffalo who runs Women Build Week here. .

The event empowers homebuyers, who are often single mothers, as well as volunteer and working women, she said.

Families in need of affordable housing apply to Habitat for Humanity and are chosen based on their level of need, willingness to partner with the program, and ability to pay off a mortgage through a payment plan affordable. In addition to paying a mortgage and receiving financial education, homebuyers invest hundreds of “sweat” hours, which can include volunteer hours working on their own home.

The homes on Winslow Avenue have not yet been matched with families.

Jody Galvin, a partner at Hodgson Russ, has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for eight years and was captain of her firm’s team of 18 women.

She added that some women, unsure of whether they can master these skills, are hesitant to join. She assures them that Habitat will teach them everything they need.

“You’re going to do things you never thought you could do, like use a nail gun or cut drywall or stuff like that,” she said. “So I have to say I always tell new people you don’t need any skills, believe me. And once they did, they were hooked. »

Being surrounded by women during Women Build Week makes new volunteers feel empowered, she said.

“I think it gives people a sense of security and comfort to go to the job site,” she said. “It’s important for them to see themselves working.”

Council member Zeneta Everhart, who represents the Masten district where the homes are being built, said homeownership is vital to the health of the neighborhood and its residents.

“Not only are we building a legacy for families and children, but we are rebuilding our community,” Everhart said. “We know that disinvestment on the East Side of Buffalo has been going on for decades, right? But organizations like Habitat are simply crucial to building up Buffalo’s east side.

She said homeownership is an important path to creating generational wealth in families and the homes built on Winslow Avenue will benefit the community for years to come.

“We need to make sure that the people in this community own a piece of it.” It’s theirs,” she said. “Throughout the Masten district, I have met several people who we call historic tenants. They have been renting the same apartment for 20 years. So it’s very important that we offer opportunities like this.