AURORA, Ill., March 16, 2018 — Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity broke ground Saturday, March 16, at 823 Gillette Ave. in Aurora for the housing ministry’s 2019 Women Build, a Habitat house built by women volunteers.

Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat CEO, welcomed guests to the ceremony and reviewed Habitat’s mission. Other speakers were Elsa Macias, future homeowner with her daughters Vivian and Minerva; Michael Seville, Aurora Sixth Ward Alderman; and Terrie E. Simmons, CEO and owner of Strategic Exceptions, an Aurora-based business consulting firm and director of Women’s Business Development Center in Aurora.

Rev. Barrett, pastor of Genesis Community Church in Montgomery, site of Habitat offices, said the Women Build will take place May 9-11. The Macias’ home will be Habitat’s 63rd built or upgraded in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery since the nonprofit housing ministry’s founding in 1988. 

Women age 16 and older are invited to participate in the Women Build.  Individuals and teams of six women are welcome. Volunteers are asked to donate $250 per day for building materials and other expenses.

The groundbreaking concluded with Macias’ family and friends tossing shovelfuls of dirt at the site.

Rev. Barrett said,”Women Build is Habitat for Humanity’s program that empowers women to learn construction skills, build homes, and build communities. Volunteers come together from all walks of life to build stronger and safer communities. 

“Women and children make up the majority of people populating Habitat neighborhoods, as they are the most likely to be affected by poor living conditions. Women Build events provide the opportunity for women to take a proactive step in serving their communities,” Rev. Barrett said. 

Volunteers will receive a Women Build t-shirt, catered lunch on site, personalized fundraising website and office support. For more information, contact Habitat volunteer coordinator Julie Clark at (630) 206-5034 or j.clark@foxvalleyhabitat.org.

Founded in 1988, Fox Valley Habitat is based at Genesis Community Church in Montgomery. A Habitat warehouse is at 250 S. Highland Ave. in Aurora. The nondenominational Christian housing ministry partners with people in need to deliver affordable shelter. More than 200 residents of Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery have been served through 63 new or upgraded homes. 

More information on Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity is available at: http://www.chicagolandhabitat.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_fox

Related article at XPian News: https://xpian.news/2019/03/04/women-to-build-habitat-for-humanity-home/

Al Benson

Freelance Photo-Journalist

Al Benson is an Aurora-based freelance photo-journalist. He is currently an archives research specialist at Aurora University. His work has appeared in The Voice, The Daily Herald, The Beacon-News, and the Chicago Tribune.