Last modified Wed., January 09, 2008 - 05:01 PM
Originally created Thursday, January 10, 2008

Kings Bay Sailors help Women Build

By MC2(AW/NAC) Will Tonacchio, Periscope staff

From December 9 through the 15 of December Habitat for Humanity had a woman build house. Where women could have the opportunity to become more skilled at construction and better at navigating a construction site.
MC2(AW/NAC) Will Tonacchio

Habitat for Humanity International's Women Build Program promotes the involvement of women and girls in the construction of Habitat homes. Women Build Projects provide an area in which women can feel comfortable learning construction skills they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn.

"This is a great opportunity for the women in our community to be exposed to an environment that many don't know much about," said Allyse Beckett, project coordinator of Habitat for Humanity of Camden County. "During our Women's Build we make it very easy for women to come and learn about construction and construction methods in a friendly open-to-question atmosphere."

Women Build works to nurture, recruit and train women to build and maintain simple, decent, healthy and affordable homes. Women Build does not exclude men, but rather is intended to include women who would not usually build.

GM3 Nate McNew, for the local MSST Coast Guard Command is taking measurements on a piece of sighting that he is about to cut. "My dad always told me to measure twice and cut once," said McNew. "With that in mind I have never had to cut twice."
MC2(AW/NAC) Will Tonacchio

"It's great that Habitat for Humanity is giving the opportunity to get more women out, and in an environment where we can learn something new," said P.J. Jordan, a local volunteer. "I have learned all types of useful tips that I will use on my house when I get home."

Habitat for Humanity of Camden County advocates for and builds decent affordable housing to enhance lives and strengthen Camden County in partnership with our community. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity of Camden County builds and rehabilitates houses in partnership with families in need.

Habitat houses are affordable because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest is charged on the mortgage. The family's monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund which is used to build more houses. Homeowners are chosen based on their need for affordable housing, their ability to repay a Habitat mortgage and their willingness to partner with Habitat.

"From skilled labor to non-skilled volunteers we could not do anything with out the support from them and our local community's business," said Keith Johnston, site manager for Habitat for Humanity of Camden County.

Local volunteers from Camden County are laying down top soil before the landscaper's landscape the Habitat for Humanity Women's Build house.
MC2(AW/NAC) Will Tonacchio

Volunteer, both skilled and unskilled, come as individuals or with groups from schools, churches, unions or businesses in our community. Construction becomes a cooperative effort involving these volunteer workers and the future homeowners. Financial support comes from individuals, corporations, and foundations. In addition some funds are raised by special events held throughout the year.

Interested in getting involved and helping out the community? Call Allyse Beckett at 673-1266 for more information on becoming a Habitat for Humanity Volunteer.

Every cheer leader on the Camden High School squad has signed up to volunteer their time. Here some cheer leaders are installing insulation before the dry wall can go up.
MC2(AW/NAC) Will Tonacchio