/R E P E A T -- 1,000 Women. $1 Million. 3 Build Sites./

Habitat for Humanity GTA hosts its sixth Women Build event, empowering women volunteers to help build safe, decent homes for 34 hardworking families.

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - On September 14, 2015 Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area is set to kick off the first wave of its sixth annual Women Build event (presented by Tide, Swiffer, and Febreeze ). For 17 days in September, Habitat for Humanity GTA welcomes over 1,000 women volunteers and supporters to help build safe, decent homes for 34 hardworking families, with an ambitious goal of raising $1 million for the charity.

The first wave of the event will be held on September 14 -19 at 960 Brimley Road, in Scarborough, where 15 semi-detached homes will be built for Habitat GTA partner families. The second wave continues from September 22-26 where volunteers will help build a single-family home at 302 Andrew Street, in Newmarket. The third and final wave will be held at Habitat GTA's largest build to date at 8600 Torbram Road South, in Brampton from September 29-October 4, which ultimately will be an 18-home development.

We are so thrilled to be hosting our sixth annual Women Build event for the first time in all the three regions we serve," says Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GTA. "The enthusiasm and passion that we see from our female volunteers, is truly inspiring. Each year, they band together to empower each other, and create a lasting impact for hard-working families living in need."

Daily Highlights in Toronto, York Region and Brampton

Time		Activity
8:00 a.m.		Morning Speeches
11:30 a.m.		Lunch & Guest Speaker
12:00 p.m.		Habitat Partner Family Speaks
12:10 p.m.		Hammer Contest

Close to the Goal of $1,000,000

Habitat for Humanity GTA is thrilled with the achievements of their 2015 Women Build partners but is still $400,000 short of the Women Build fundraising 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 2015 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
• Kelly Broome-Plumley, Manager at NewRoads Automotive Group
• Lois Brown, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora
• Deborah Coombs, P&G Mom Blogger: Raisingmyboys.net
• Anita Dong, We Are Tonic
• Jennifer Ettinger, Fitness & Lifestyle Expert
• Caroline Fernandez, P&G Mom Blogger: ParentClub.ca
• Susan Hawkins, Canerector
• Mayor Virginia Hackson, Mayor for the Town of East Gwillimbury
• Tina Holmes, Marketplace Events
• Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner, City of Toronto
• Pattie Lovett-Reid, Chief Financial Commentator, CTV News Channel
• Jackie Mintz, Executive Director, The Life Centre
• Jane Neville, Canadian Association of Women In Construction
• Her Honour, Ruth Ann Onley
• Jackie Playter, Treasurer and Co-Founder of The Newmarket Farmers Market
• Maria Racco, Owner at Artists Salon & Spa
• Sandra Richardson, Retired Toronto Police Inspector, Consultant and Life Coach
• Toni Rossi, Infrastructure Ontario
• Mag Ruffman, Tool Girl, Television Producer, Writer and Actress
• Monika Schnarre, Television Personality, Entrepreneur, Writer
• Bri-Ann Stuart, General Manager, Upper Canada Mall
• Jane Twinney, Councillor Ward 3, Town of Newmarket
• Jennifer Valentyne, CityTV, Breakfast Television
• Anastasia Vaskova, CEO of ContractHER. com
• Kaaren Whitney-Vernon, shift2
• Veronica Williams, Publisher, snapd Newmarket

***Media are invited to attend and interviews will be available: September 14–17 in Toronto, September 22-23 in York Region and September 29-October 1 in Brampton***

Please visit womenbuildgta.ca for more information on Women Build 2015 and habitatgta.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity GTA

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity GTA

Joanna M. Dwyer, Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, T: [phone] x 259 | C: [phone] | E: [email protected]; Nicole Buckley, Communications & Public Relations Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, T: [phone] x 243 | C: [phone] | E: [email protected]