Massachusetts 4 Sale By Owner is pleased to support “Women Build 2008 – Women Building a Better Community”, a unique project organized by Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity that is focused on empowering women to take an active role to change their community, and their own lives.

Women Build, as a national campaign for Habitat for Humanity International, is one of many projects across the nation bringing together women from all walks of life to bui ld a home in partnership with a family in need. However, this Women Build goes the extra mile! Through a special partnership with the Hampden County Women’s Correctional Facility, Women Build 2008 will provide low-risk incarcerated women the opportunity to learn building skills through onsite job training in the construction trade.

Although women typically comprise 50 percent of Habitat’s volunteers, they represent less than 15 percent of all local construction volunteers. Additionally, women represent less than two percent of the national construction trade industry.

Funding from partners throughout the community, including Hasbro and Hampden Bank, provide the necessary financial support to give women the opportunity to put their hands into action for their community.

Women Build 2008 will kick off on May 9, 2008 with a groundbreaking ceremony at the building site on White Street, Springfield. Construction, and fundraising, will continue throughout the year. The family selected for this home – the Campbells – will receive the keys during a dedication ceremony planned for Mother’s Day weekend 2009.

The Campbells, along with their family and friends, will contribute 250 hours of “sweat equity” toward the construction of their house. They are very excited, and are ready to hit the ground running. Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity’s massive core of volunteers is also ready to meet this challenge head on, from raising funds to swinging hammers and sawing wood.

Catherine Campbell, an employee at Baystate Medical Center with five children (ages two to 16), is grateful for the home ownership opportunity Habitat has provided for her family.

“I am so very happy and pleased to be a Habitat homeowner family,” said Campbell. “Just when you think your dreams are just dreams, an organization like Habitat reaches out to lend a hand. I do everything that I can to better my children’s lives, and now this makes them look to the future and believe anything is possible. We just have to reach out and work for it.”

For more information on Women Build and Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, call (413) 739-5503 ext. 25, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also visit the Web site, www.habitatspringfield.org.