Over 1,000 women will unite to build Habitat homes for families living in need

Habitat for Humanity Toronto set to launch 2013 Women Build, empowering women volunteers to help build safe, decent homes for six hardworking families

TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - On the morning of September 18^th, over 100 women volunteers and supporters will gather to launch Habitat for Humanity Toronto's 2013 Women Build campaign and break ground on a six-home site for Habitat Partner Families. During the 11-day event, over 1,000 women will strive to help build Habitat homes for 35 men, women and children and reach an ambitious goal of raising $1 million for the charity.

Habitat for Humanity Toronto's fourth 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. "As mothers, leaders, breadwinners, daughters, and all the other roles we play as women, we share a unique understanding of the importance of 'home' in the lives of families," says Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto. "Women Build lets us put our words into action, working side by side with hammers and hardhats to inspire and drive change in our community." The Women Build not only encourages a spirit of empowerment, solidarity and fun, it is also an opportunity to learn and encourage women to get involved in the construction profession, which is traditionally perceived to be male-dominated.

11-day Women Build Highlights
Groundbreaking to launch the 2013 Women Build:
What: Hundreds of women volunteers alongside partner families, donors and supporters will break ground on Habitat's Acme II build site and begin construction for six safe, decent and affordable homes. This site is immediately adjacent to six other Habitat homes that were completed in the summer of 2012.
When: Wednesday September 18^th
Groundbreaking: 8:30 am - 9:00 am, Build Day: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: 42 Acme Crescent, Toronto (Kipling Ave. and Dixon Rd.)

Women in Politics Day:
What: For the first time in Habitat Toronto history, over 30 female politicians, from all levels of government, will set aside their political differences and come together to help build six Habitat homes in support of the 2013 Women Build. This milestone event will provide City Councillors, MPs and MPPs the opportunity to cross party lines and address the issue of affordable housing, facing thousands of women and children across the city, in a concrete way.
When: Monday September 23^rd, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: 42 Acme Crescent, Toronto (Kipling Ave. and Dixon Rd.)

Close to the Goal of $1,000,000
Habitat for Humanity Toronto is thrilled with the achievements of their 2013 Women Build partners. This team of women is just $150,000 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 Toronto's Partner Family Homeowners are single mothers. Since owning a Habitat home however, 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.

To Tricia Wedderburn, a single mother of three children, "owning a home would be an absolute dream come true." Tricia moved to Canada from Jamaica in 1994, and has since started a family in Toronto. Presently, the Wedderburns live in a low-income housing unit located in an unsafe neighbourhood and riddled with "mold around the windows, basement and washroom ceilings," explains Tricia. The Wedderburn family is extremely grateful to Habitat Toronto for the opportunity to have a home of their own. Both Tricia and her children agree that, "a home is a place where you can go to at any time to rest, cry, just feel the love, and always feel happy because we are together with family and friends."

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 Toronto's Women Build campaign has raised over $2 million, helped the construction of 51 simple and decent homes, and united over 2,700 women to volunteer to build with Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

Habitat for Humanity Toronto's 2013 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
• Ani Bogovic, WINC
• Burgundy Brick Foundation Team
• Anita Dong, We Are Tonic
• Tammy Evans, Canadian Association of Women in Construction
• Susan Hawkins, Canerector
• Tina Holmes, Marketplace Events
• Gale Kelly, KPMG
• Pattie Lovett-Reid, Chief Financial Commentator, CTV News Channel
• Her Honour Ruth Ann Onley
• Rose Reisman, The Art of Living Well
• Inspector Sandra Richardson #5513, No. 52 Division
• Mag Ruffman, ToolGirl
• Toni Rossi, Infrastructure Ontario
• Monika Schnarre, Television Personality, Entrepreneur, Writer
• Karen Stintz, City of Toronto
• Jennifer Valentyne, City TV - BreakfastTelevision
• Kaaren Whitney-Vernon, Vervegirl

***Media are invited to attend and interviews will be available September 18-28***

Please visit womenbuildtoronto.ca for more information on Women Build 2013

Please visit torontohabitat.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity Toronto

SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity Toronto

To attend the event or schedule an interview, please contact:
Joanna M. Dwyer
Director, Marketing & Communications
Habitat for Humanity Toronto
416-755-7353 ext. 259 Cell: 416-708-6481 or 416-916-2333
[email protected]