Women to Nail it for Sebastopol Women Build



Windsor resident and volunteer co chairperson Jan Marsiglia, along with local Habitat affiliate coordinator Sylvia Bray are spearheading the project, which is being sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing.

The local affiliate is part of Habitat for Humanity International, but is fully self supporting, raising its own funds for building within the local community. Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 200,000 homes worldwide working with local affiliates within the USA and abroad.

"Our first effort will be in gathering volunteers," says Marsiglia. "We need help from women at all skill levels with an interest in everything from sitting behind a desk to swinging a hammer." The public is encouraged to attend a general informational meeting on February 9 at 6:30pm at the Santa Rosa Presbyterian Church of the Roses, located at Hahman Drive and Patio Court behind Montgomery Village. Opportunities abound for volunteers. Construction training and skilled supervision will be provided.

Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity program that encourages women to have fun while learning new skills and making an important contribution to their communities. Women Build crews have built nearly 800 Habitat houses around the world.

"This is not a giveaway program," stated Bray. "The homes are sold to qualifying very low income homeowner partners for the amount it costs Habitat for Humanity to build the houses. Homeowner Partners invest hundred of hours of their own labor - sweat equity - into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County then provides them with a no-interest loan. Loan payments go back into the revolving build fund to build more houses. The costs of the houses are kept as low as possible by donations of land, labor and materials.

This Women Build is the first Women Build site in the North Bay and is scheduled to start in August, 2006.

For more information, call Sylvia Bray at 578 7707.





Women to Nail it for Sebastopol Women Build