Lakeshia White, the new owner of a house on Smith Robinson Street, has other women to thank for her new digs—specifically, the volunteering women of Women Build 2013, a collaboration of Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s.
White was thrilled to learn that her new home would be built by female volunteers. “You don’t hear a lot of women going around saying that they are going to build a house,” she said in a statement. “I haven’t stopped talking about this since I found out. We are so thankful that we were chosen. I can’t wait to turn this house into a home.”
Lowe’s, the familiar home improvement store, donated a $5,000 store gift card to support Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson and Women Build 2013. It has also donated $1.75 million nationwide to support the initiative, which encourages women to learn a new skill while devoting at least one day to help build affordable housing in their local communities.
White’s new 1,300-square-foot house features four bedrooms and two baths. The 220 volunteers of Women Build worked Saturdays in May and June to make the house a reality for White, her two children and the children’s grandmother.
“Everyone deserves safe, decent housing, but not everyone can turn to the regular housing market,” said Maura Phillips, chairwoman of Women Build 2013, in the statement. “For many families, those doors are closed. Habitat for Humanity, however, provides an opportunity for 100 percent home ownership through an interest-free mortgage—a leg up to a better life and brighter future.”
White will join the volunteers who helped build her new home at noon Friday, Aug. 16, to dedicate the house. On hand will be the Women Build 2013 steering committee, and Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson board members and staff.
This is the 651st house completed by Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson volunteers and the 15th Women Build house.
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
