Being new to the Chicago area, I still have a lot to learn about this city, its neighborhoods, and its residents - but one thing I do know is that there's a dire need for housing and access to the quality of life that comes with homeownership. I've spent so much of my career seeking out ways to better serve women and people of color through design, and I'm excited to see that my new firm, SCB, is a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program in Chicago!

Homeownership is one of the most transformative tools a person can use to build a strong and stable future. However far too many women are unjustly denied access, widening an existing wealth and equity gap - especially for women of color. From the gender pay disparity and its impact on credit profiles, to uneven childcare responsibilities that consume time and financial resources, to higher rates of mortgage denials despite superior payment performance, the hurdles keeping women from homeownership are high. 
 
This October, I'm grabbing my hammer, strapping on my tool belt, and joining Habitat Chicago's Women Build alongside 550 determined women to knock these barriers down. Together as a team of 20 at SCB, we will help our fellow women become homeowners with Habitat Chicago, a nonprofit committed to building a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

Your support in this effort will go entirely towards building a home for a deserving woman in the Chicago area - and as we all know, lifting up women is the surest and best way to guarantee the health of our community. I would greatly appreciate your donation to help reach my fundraising goal of $600. 
 
Change happens one person at a time. I appreciate any support you can give - big, small, or somewhere in between. 
 
Thanks so much for your help, and stay tuned for updates from Build Day in October!
Harsha