WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION Two Regina women develop unique Women’s Habitat for Humanity build 200 women raise $1,000 each to fund construction of two homes, built by women Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature Photos by Peter Scoular Photography Under a build model inspired by two local women, 200 women will share the cost this year to construct two homes for Regina-based families. This initiative, though born in Saskatchewan, has been embraced in other com- munities across the country. Volunteers Trish Bezborotko, retail sales manager with Harvard Broadcasting Regina, and Yvonne Slobodian, owner of asOne Investments, came up with an idea in 2011. They, along with 98 other women, would contribute $1,000 each – or $100,000 in total – to build the homes. The two now co-chair the effort. “We had set a goal to raise the money within 100 days,” says Bezborotko. “Forty-nine days later, the money was in the bank.” She says some of the women who signed up also do- nated time on site. “All the houses Habitat builds are con- structed with journeyman carpenters and skilled tradespeople with the help of volunteers. So while many of us had a blast actually being on site hanging drywall and swinging hammers – many also simply enjoyed being a part of changing a family’s life by allowing them the op- portunity to step in to homeownership.” After the positive response that first year, in 2012, the goal doubled, resulting in 200 women participating and two families “given the opportunity to escape high rent and less than desirable housing conditions by becoming home- owners themselves.” The initiative launched again this year under the name 200K Women Build. Meanwhile, Bezborotko says a group of men, inspired by the program, launched their own 200K initiative. Bezborotko says a build of this nature could take six months or longer. “The homes could likely be built faster with skilled trades but Habitat is all about community and the coming together of volunteers who wish to make a dif- ference. The journeypersons who oversee the build and the volunteers are amazing.” She says the energy on a Habitat build site is unique and on a women’s build site in particular where it is driven by a heart for other families. “Women are nesters by nature and I think many of us want to help other families have a place to love and protect and house their families.” She says it has not been difficult to find women to en- gage in the program. “Not all actually help on the build site but many do and they absolutely love the experience. It’s an amazing way for women to do things they’ve always wanted to but never maybe had the chance to.” The Canadian Design and Construction Report — November 2015 – 37