It’s Habitat for Humanity Chicago Women Build time again! I am participating for the 9th year with the women of Holabird & Root architects.

Here are some reasons I love participating in this event year after year:

• The efforts of this event benefit female-led households specifically. From the gender pay gap 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. Habitat for Humanity in general is a great force for good, but this women-helping-women event is particularly powerful.

• Each event participant not only raises over $450 toward the cost of the home, but also donates one day of labor towards the construction process. The 550 women participating make really meaningful and visible progress on the job site each year.

• The Habitat path to homeownership is one of partnership and sustainable change, one that doesn’t give away free homes but rather helps boost a family out of the rent cycle. The receiving family partners with Habitat for Humanity by completing 350 sweat equity hours, attending homeowner education classes, and saving up for a down payment. Once the home is built, the family is able to purchase it from Habitat with a minimal down payment and an affordable 0% interest mortgage.

• Homeownership is one of the most dynamic tools a person can use to build a strong and stable future.

I’ll be fundraising through our build event on October 14th. If you are interested in supporting the event this year, you can do so by making a donation on this personal fundraising page of mine. Thanks ahead of time for your generosity!