The Women Build program was established by Habitat for Humanity International to encourage and empower women to learn construction skills and to use those skills to help move families out of poverty by building simple, safe, affordable homes.  Women Build is not about excluding men; it is about including women, so we can learn construction skills on a more inclusive construction site.

Locally, Women Build is a coalition of Fairfield County women who volunteer our time to raise money to sponsor and then build houses. You do not need to have construction skills to volunteer – Habitat staff and task leaders will teach you the skills you need to help build the house.

We have just begun the planning process for Women Build 6, which will be dedicated in memory of Beverly Eckert.  Please contact Ellen Quinn or Eileen Bakos at womenbuildhfhcfc@yahoo.com for details on volunteering and contributing.   

Below we have highlighted some of our recent projects. 

In 2007, Women Build volunteers (over 95% women) built our third house – Women Build 3 – in Bridgeport.  We had fun and built the house in record time – 26 days – building on Saturdays only.  Thanks to generous sponsors and our amazing volunteers, we built this home in loving memory of Joan Mitchell.  Joan was on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, founder of the Habitat ReStore, and committed leader of Women Builds 1 and 2. Joan taught for nearly four decades in the Fairfield School system at Timothy Dwight, North Stratfield and Roger Sherman Elementary Schools. 

In May 2008, Women Build volunteers finished building our fourth house – Women Build 4 – in Bridgeport. Generous sponsors and a great team of volunteers again supported us.  Our major sponsors for this house included Aurora Products (a Stratford-based provider of quality snack foods including granola, trail mix, and nuts), author Luanne Rice and The Bantam Dell Publishing Group through Rice’s novel, “What Matters Most,” and The Compass Group.   

In November 2008, Women Build volunteers finished our fifth house – Women Build 5 – in Bridgeport.   Funds were raised for this home in part through two great fundraisers, “Time to Come Home”, in November 2008 at the Black Rock Yacht Club, and a wonderful evening hosted by Aitoro in Norwalk.  In addition, we received our first Women Build grant from Near and Far Aid.  Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and donors who contributed to this home.   

Please join us in making another family’s dream to own their first home come true by:

·         Making an online donation at www.habitatcfc.org. Please select “Women Build” in the Designation field, or

·        Sending a check to: Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County,
Attn: Women Build, 1542 Barnum Avenue , Bridgeport , CT 06610. 
Please note “For Women Build” on the check.

·        Many companies will match employee contributions. Please ask your company to match your donation.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others!