Island women are encouraged to participate in Habitat for Humanity P.E.I.’s Women Build 2011, says Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Janice Sherry.
“Volunteering is a rewarding opportunity to give back to your community and manifest your support of not-for-profit organizations,” said Minister Sherry. “I thoroughly enjoyed my recent experience with Habitat for Humanity P.E.I. and I challenge all Islanders to get involved. There is about one month of building left before the home will be complete, therefore volunteers are very much in demand.”
Habitat for Humanity Women Build is supported by Prince Edward Island’s Interministerial Women’s Secretariat (IWS). The organization received $2,000 in funding from the IWS for their 2011 Women Build.
A Women Build is organized by women, construction is led by women and 80 per cent of the volunteers are women. The current Women Build is ongoing until late September in the Hillsborough Park subdivision with daily hours being 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Women are welcome to volunteer for any length of time they are available. Volunteers are asked to wear steel-toe boots and a hard hat; some are available through Habitat for Humanity on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone with tools is encouraged to bring them along, and women must be over the age of 16 to participate.
“The Women Build has been a wonderful opportunity for women to learn more about our organization and help families in our community. We appreciate the support of the PEI Interministerial Women’s Secretariat, both financially and with build volunteers,” said Habitat for Humanity P.E.I. Executive Director Susan Zambonin. “ We also appreciate Minister Sherry taking time from her busy schedule to help on the build site.”
Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Island is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that works tirelessly to ensure all Islanders have a roof over their head. The organization was founded in Prince Edward Island in 1999 as a member of Habitat for Humanity Canada. Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that builds a new home every 21 minutes worldwide.
For more information about the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat, visit www.gov.pe.ca./sss.
To learn more about the efforts of Habitat for Humanity P.E.I., visit habitatp.www23.a2hosting.com or email office@habitatpei.ca.