Pioneer Valley Habitat’s Women Build Weekends

PVHH Women Build mission statement:  to nurture, recruit and train women (and individuals of all genders underrepresented on construction sites) to build simple, decent, healthy and affordable houses. Check out upcoming events here!

In the tradition of Habitat for Humanity’s International Women Build Week, our affiliate offers monthly Women Build Weekends. These weekends center around a Sunday afternoon community build day, which is a great introduction to a typical Habitat volunteer day. All Women Build Weekends are available to the general public, with an emphasis on a majority of the attendees be anyone who self-identifies as a woman or individual of any gender historically underrepresented in construction. All are welcome to participate!

Please note that all participants must have attended an hour-long Volunteer Orientation prior to building, and comply with PV Habitat’s current Covid-19 site safety guidelines. Women Build Weekends are typically the third weekend of the month – check VolunteerUP or our Events page for scheduled build days. Check our Volunteer page for more info on signing up for builds and orientations.

Team Builds

Women Build Weekends can also be team builds! The goal Women Build team builds is to focus on women volunteers and to raise funds to support our work. To that end, corporate team builds will require a $800 donation for that day. That amount can be raised in a number of ways, and you can click here to learn more about PV Habitat team builds or reach out to volunteer@pvhabitat.org to schedule a group build!

We also encourage Team Builds from Smith, Mount Holyoke and other historically women’s institutions. These school group builds require a donation of $300 for the group. This $300 could also be paid by the educational institution, raised by clubs, faculty and staff or by students themselves, or the group could be sponsored by another entity.

5-7-11 Women Build
2011 Women Build Week in Northampton
Women Build Week May 2016
Women Build Week May 2016
Women at Work Insulation Blitz 2015
Women at Work Insulation Blitz 2015
5-7-11 Women Build
Edy shows a volunteer how to use a saw

Women Build Week

For many years, International Women Build Week (WBW) has been an important part of the annual schedule for us here at Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. Formerly a joint program sponsored by Lowe’s in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, WBW promotes women in construction and raises awareness of housing issues facing women and their families.

Join us for Women Build Week 2022, May 2-8

While the partnership with Lowe’s and Habitat International has ended, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity will still be hosting our own Women Build Week in 2022! Our goal is that a majority of the builders (skilled and newbies) will be people who identify as women during this special week. Sign up your team or company to reserve a team build day, or join as an individual community volunteer. For more information contact PVHH construction coordinator Eric Sussman at volunteer@pvhabitat.org or 413-586-5430.

Please note that all in-person volunteers must comply with Pioneer Valley Habitat’s COVID-19 safety guidelines, including vaccination requirements and masks for indoor work. Click here to learn more.

Women Build Week 2022: FAQ

1. Can I volunteer in person at Women Build Week in 2022?
Yes! While Women Build Week 2021 was exclusively virtual, we are offering in-person volunteer opportunities in 2022 to both organizations and individuals. Sign up via VolunteerUP during the week of May 2-8, or email volunteer@pvhabitat.org to get started.

2. I don’t identify as a woman – can I still volunteer during Women Build Week?
Our goal is that a majority of the builders (skilled and newbies) will be people who identify as women during this special week, but Habitat welcomes volunteers of any gender identity.

3. Where can I learn more about volunteering in the future?
Now is a great time to attend a new volunteer orientation so you’re ready to go for Women Build Week (or any other volunteer days)! You can also check out our volunteering page and watch our site safety video to get a better idea of what to expect when volunteering.

4. Where can I learn more about Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build Week?
Check out Habitat’s Women Build Week page to learn more about the history of the event and efforts to highlight housing struggles faced by women.