News and Events - Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast

May 11, 2009
Women Help Build Gulfport Houses

By Priscilla Loebenberg
Sun Herald

GULFPORT — Nearly 50 women volunteers assisted by Habitat for Humanity staff and AmeriCorps members helped build homes on Saturday in Connor’s Garden, a 28-home development off 34th Avenue. The event was Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s first Women Build, a national initiative in partnership with Lowe’s.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this program,” said Mike Dwyer, human resources manager for Lowe’s in Gulfport.

Dwyer said Lowe’s had already contributed $20 million nationally for the Women Build initiative and has committed another $20 million to fund the program through 2013. This week is National Women Build Week during which 175 Habitat affiliates across the country will be participating in for at least one day.

Pam Thomas was one of the volunteers and will also be the first recipient of Habitat for Humanity home in Connor’s Garden. Her home is weeks away from completion.

“My house is on the next street over,” said Thomas. “I’m so excited. I drive by every three days.”

Thomas works at Memorial Hospital and hopes to recruit a crew of co-workers to help with builds in the near future.

Carol Manning is part of a Habitat group from Newark, N.J., that traveled to Gulfport to help with the build.

She said her affiliate is celebrating Women Build Week in both locations this week.

She said the program helps not only the families that will be living in the homes, but also shows women how much they can accomplish.

“It really empowers women,” said Manning. “In many ways women are actually better builders than men. They follow directions better and what they lack in strength, they make up for in planning ability.”

Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast serves Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties.

More than 250 homes are under construction or have been completed by the organization since January of 2007