Spring Break
Women constructing for a cause
Circle of Women builds house for a family in need in Bryan
By: Christina Francisco
Issue date: 10/13/09 Section: News
With help from a group of Bryan-College Station women, Bertha Ruiz and her family of four children and grandchild will soon have a place to call home.
The women are part of the 2009 Habitat for Humanity Circle of Women Build, which is a project consisting of female volunteers, partners and businesses that work together to fund and construct a Habitat house for a family in need.
"These women are amazing," said director of communications for the Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity Abby Johnson. "They get sweaty and muddy and really establish camaraderie with one another."
But Meier said the project isn't just for adult women. She said she hopes college students find a way to
get involved.
"In the future it would be a really cool idea to have a separate Circle of Women build by A&M students," Meier said.
Volunteers work in shifts of about eight women and arrive at the site in the early morning, sometimes staying until 4 p.m. A Habitat construction crew oversees the building, but most of the work is done by the women themselves.
The eight-week build on Ruiz's home began in late August and continues every Saturday, weather permitting, at the house site on 400 Baylor St. in Bryan.
The Ruiz family will put in at least 500 building hours in the program before they are named the official homeowners. At that point, once the house is finished, the family will be able to purchase the home at a zero percent interest rate.
Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in Bryan-College Station Melanie Phillips has the chance of working on the house with her two daughters.
"It's a great opportunity for us to do something together," Phillips said. "From painting the house to roofing, it's an accomplishment to do things most people think women can't do."
Diane Jones Meier, a member of the circle, sees not just an opportunity for community service but also an opportunity for learning in the build.
"Women are less likely to have any experience in construction, so most are doing it for the first time," Meier said. "It's a great opportunity for them."
The women are part of the 2009 Habitat for Humanity Circle of Women Build, which is a project consisting of female volunteers, partners and businesses that work together to fund and construct a Habitat house for a family in need.
"These women are amazing," said director of communications for the Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity Abby Johnson. "They get sweaty and muddy and really establish camaraderie with one another."
But Meier said the project isn't just for adult women. She said she hopes college students find a way to
get involved.
"In the future it would be a really cool idea to have a separate Circle of Women build by A&M students," Meier said.
Volunteers work in shifts of about eight women and arrive at the site in the early morning, sometimes staying until 4 p.m. A Habitat construction crew oversees the building, but most of the work is done by the women themselves.
The eight-week build on Ruiz's home began in late August and continues every Saturday, weather permitting, at the house site on 400 Baylor St. in Bryan.
The Ruiz family will put in at least 500 building hours in the program before they are named the official homeowners. At that point, once the house is finished, the family will be able to purchase the home at a zero percent interest rate.
Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in Bryan-College Station Melanie Phillips has the chance of working on the house with her two daughters.
"It's a great opportunity for us to do something together," Phillips said. "From painting the house to roofing, it's an accomplishment to do things most people think women can't do."
Diane Jones Meier, a member of the circle, sees not just an opportunity for community service but also an opportunity for learning in the build.
"Women are less likely to have any experience in construction, so most are doing it for the first time," Meier said. "It's a great opportunity for them."
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