By Robyn Hazlitt, Philanthropic Services Assistant
Earlier this month, I volunteered with Flatirons Habitat for Humanity for Habitat’s National Women Build Week. About 15 women gathered to work on three Habitat houses — after donning our hardhats and Women Build t-shirts and tool belts, we divided up and got to work.
A group of veteran Habitat volunteers explained what to do — from how to safely use a nail gun to how to read framing notations and frame out entire walls, including doors. The beautiful spring day quickly turned hot, and we all enjoyed breaking for lunch in the shade of one house while a fellow volunteer and Habitat board member gave a short presentation about Habitat for Humanity.
I’ve always been aware of Habitat for Humanity, but didn’t know that each Habitat family is required to put in 225 hours of “sweat equity” labor per adult, and that the homes are actually sold to the families for a zero percent mortgage. As part of Habitat’s policies, their homes will be permanently affordable housing…and if the current residents move, Habitat has first right of refusal to buy the home back and place another Habitat family in the home.
We also learned about how important stable housing is for families to fully break the cycle of poverty. With a stable place to live, kids are better able to focus in school and do their homework, and parents can start thinking long-term, making plans for how they will send their kids to college…instead of worrying about moving every year due to rising rents. By the end of the day, I was respectably dirty, sweaty and tired, but also so proud of all the walls we framed and so full of gratitude to Flatirons Habitat.
The Flatirons Habitat veteran volunteers were incredible teachers…I learned so much, and I can’t wait to return in the future. Thank you, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity!
