This year, I am incredibly excited to join Habitat Chicago's Women Build for the very first time. Building has always been a meaningful part of my life. I grew up helping build houses in the suburbs of Mexico City, where I learned firsthand the value of hard work, teamwork, and the pride that comes from creating something that will serve a family for years to come. Later, I continued developing those skills through student-led construction and community building projects, experiences that reinforced my passion for hands-on service and community impact.

Homeownership is one of the most dynamic tools a person can use to build a strong and stable future. However, it is a tool that far too many women are unjustly denied access. 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. 
 
This October, I'm grabbing my hammer, strapping on my tool belt, and joining Habitat Chicago's Women Build alongside hundreds of determined women to knock these barriers down. Together, we will help our fellow women become homeowners with Habitat Chicago, a nonprofit committed to championing healthy neighborhoods by investing in resident priorities, building quality homes, and supporting homeownership.  
 
You can make a difference by helping me reach my fundraising goal and prove that there's nothing a group of committed women can't do. 
 
Change happens one person at a time. I appreciate any support you can give - big, small, or somewhere in between. 
 
Thanks!
Valentina