1,000 women will trade in their stilettos for steel toes to build Habitat homes for families in need.

Habitat for Humanity GTA hosts its sixth Women Build event, empowering women volunteers to help build safe, decent homes for 33 hardworking families.

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - For 12 days in September, Habitat for Humanity GTA will welcome over 1,000 women volunteers and supporters to for its sixth annual Women Build event (presented by Tide, Swiffer, and Mr. Clean), taking place at two build locations in hope to reach an ambitious goal of raising $1 million for the charity. The festivities will kick-off with a celebratory ribbon cutting on September 15 at the Brimley Road site. The first wave continues from September 15 -21 at 960 Brimley Road, in Scarborough where 15 semi-detached homes will be built for Habitat GTA partner families and the second wave to be held September 23-27 at 8600 Torbram Road South, in Brampton which ultimately will be an 18-home development.

Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area's Women Build is part of a global campaign that brings women together in a shared mission to build simple, decent and affordable homes alongside families living in need. "Women Build is such a unique opportunity to bring attention to the issues surrounding poverty housing," says Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GTA. "Through this campaign, we have seen the commitment and the passion of our female volunteers, who come together each year to empower each other, learn new skills and build homes for families in need."

Farrah Whyte is a hard-working, single mother of four children 14-year-old Austin, 12-year-old Liam, 7-year-old Aniyah, and 4-year-old Nevaeh. A safe, decent home for her children is one of the most important things to Farrah. Unfortunately, her current living situation does not provide this basic need. The Whytes currently live in a home riddled with maintenance issues that affect her son Austin's asthma. In addition, her current neighbourhood is overcome with crime. Farrah wants her children to flourish in a healthier environment, giving them a chance to accomplish their many dreams. Moving into a Habitat GTA home at Torbram Road will finally make this hope a reality. Farrah is bursting with excitement and pride upon being selected as a Habitat for Humanity Partner Family. She can't wait to move into a safe neighbourhood, and be able to provide a healthy place to raise her family. Farrah spends many hours now working on the build site to achieve her sweat equity hours. She warmly shares her experience with others, encouraging them to volunteer and contribute to building a stronger community.

12-day Women Build Highlights
Ribbon-Cutting launching the 2014 Women Build:
What: Hundreds of women volunteers alongside partner families, donors and supporters will kick-off Women Build 2014 with a celebratory ribbon-cutting on September 15.

When/Where: 960 Brimley Road, Toronto, September 15, 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Close to the Goal of $1,000,000
Habitat for Humanity GTA is thrilled with the achievements of their 2014 Women Build partners, but still needs your support! They are over $250,000 short of our Women Build goal of $1,000,000.

Why it Matters
Single mothers comprise about 80% of all single-parent families in Canada, and 33% of Habitat GTA Partner Family Homeowners are single mothers. Since owning a Habitat home, 76% of Habitat families report an improvement in children's school grades and 88% report an improvement in children's confidence. This research reveals how Habitat homeownership has a transformative effect on the lives of low-income families and our city's communities.

A history of the Women Build success
In 1998, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) formed the Women Build program, officially becoming a HFHI initiative. Over 2,100 Habitat houses have been now built by women crews in over 30 countries around the world. Since 2009, Habitat GTA's Women Build campaign has raised over $3 million, helped the construction of 57 simple and decent homes, and united over 3,700 women to volunteer to build within the Greater Toronto Area.

Habitat for Humanity GTA's 2014 Women Build Ambassadors:

The Women Build Ambassadors are comprised of women drawn from public and private communities including media, financial, construction, and legal industries:

• Vivian Barclay, Warner Chappell Music Canada
• Christine Bentley, Television Broadcaster
• Amy Beintner, Community Advocate & Marketing Specialist  
• Ani Bogovic, WINC
• Deborah Coombs, P&G Mom Blogger: Raisingmyboys.net
• Anita Dong, We Are Tonic
• Caroline Fernandez, P&G Mom Blogger: ParentClub.ca
• Susan Hawkins, Canerector
• Tina Holmes, Marketplace Events
• Gale Kelly, KPMG    
• Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner, City of Toronto 
• Pattie Lovett-Reid, Chief Financial Commentator, CTV News Channel        
• Jane Neville, Canadian Association of Women in Construction
• Her Honour Ruth Ann Onley
• Sandra Richardson, Retired Toronto Police Inspector, Consultant and Life Coach
• Toni Rossi, Infrastructure Ontario
• Mag Ruffman, ToolGirl, Television Producer, Writer and Actress
• Monika Schnarre, Television Personality, Entrepreneur, Writer
• Marisa Sterling, Professional Engineer
• Jennifer Valentyne, City TV – Breakfast Television
• Anastasia Vaskova, CEO of ContractHER.com
• Kaaren Whitney-Vernon, shift2

***Media are invited to attend and interviews will be available: September 15– 21 in Toronto and September 23—27 in Brampton ***

Please visit womenbuildgta.ca for more information on Women Build 2014

Please visit habitatgta.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity GTA

SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area

Joanna M. Dwyer, Director, Marketing & Communications, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, 155 Bermondsey Road | Toronto, ON M4A 1X9, T: [phone] x 259 | C: [phone] | E: [email protected]