Women Build

Women Build Update

Greg Panio and his four children received the keys to their brand new home at 1019 Rae Street – the result of the first women build project in Regina. Spearheaded by a committee made up of women, the house at Rae Street was primarily built by women with men also contributing their skills along the way.

Greg, overcome with emotion, explained that the house represents so much more than just a house. “It’s a new beginning, for me and for my kids. We are all excited to move in and make this house a home. I am so grateful to every volunteer and every person who helped make this project happen. Owning this home will give us the room we need as a growing family and will allow me to focus on their upbringing today but also their  futures tomorrow.”

The first ever women build project is officially underway in Regina with the ground on April 12th at 1019 Rae Street. Women crews have built more than 40 houses in Canada and more than 1400 around the world. This is the first Habitat for Humanity Regina home that falls under the Women Build umbrella with women leading and coordinating the project.

Women Build Fast Facts

• The Women Build program has been established by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to  encourage the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes
• Women Build challenges women to build a better future for our nations’ children and a legacy of volunteerism for their own children
• Women make up 60% of Habitat’s volunteer force; and account for 60% of workers on the construction site – this percentage is much higher than in other Canadian cities
• Women Build is not about excluding men, but including women; the Women Build program enables women to discover for themselves that they can build Habitat Homes
• Women Build projects provide an environment in which woman can feel comfortable learning skills they might not have the opportunity to learn
• When women come together to build in a supportive environment, they feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem
• By planning projects where the majority of volunteers are women, Women Build involves more women in Habitat’s construction efforts, thereby increasing the number of houses Habitat can build
• Since the first Women Build project in 1991, more than 650 Women Build houses have been built across North America and in fourteen countries around the world. This is the first ever women build project in Regina! 
• In Canada over 40 homes have already been built by women crews
• While women building together offers tremendous empowerment the benefits go beyond the individuals to transform the lives of families and their communities