Some helping hands for Habitat
<p>Trudy Elliott, left, and Vicki Isakson help raise an exterior wall of a Habitat for Humanity home Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene. The volunteers in the Women Build program will be on site helping in construction efforts through the week.</p>
<p>Christi Fleischman cuts 2x4 lumber to size for the construction of the exterior walls of a Habitat for Humanity home Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
The latest home going up in Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho's Hamilton Woods neighborhood will never lack a woman's touch, right down to the wood.
The two-bedroom house is being constructed in Coeur d'Alene by a team of volunteers, all women, as part of Habitat for Humanity's National Women Build Week.
"Most of us don't do this in our daily lives," said Marci Spotanski, the board chair of Habitat for Humanity's local affiliate. "So, this has been pretty interesting, and a lot of fun."
It's no secret that Habitat for Humanity volunteers build houses for families whose financial hardships create barriers to home ownership, families whose only affordable option may be substandard housing.
The most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that roughly 13 percent of the population in Kootenai County is living below poverty level.
Habitat for Humanity's future homeowners themselves must contribute hundreds of hours of sweat equity, often participating in the construction of their own homes, standing side-by-side with the volunteer builders.
The purpose of the Women Build program, which is underwritten by Lowe's Home Improvement, is to involve more women in the construction of Habitat homes.
Eula Hickam, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho, said the Hamilton Woods home hasn't been assigned to a family yet, but they have several in line for it.
"Women Build is an exciting week for gals of all ages in our community," Hickam said. "They can learn some new skills. It's kind of a fun time."
Each day during the week, the volunteers meet at Lowe's where they are taught some aspect of construction, before going out and putting it into practice, Hickam said.
This year, 60 ladies signed up for a chance to spend a few hours wielding construction tools, donating their own sweat so another North Idaho family will soon be in its own home.
"When I think about it, I'm almost in tears, because what we're doing here will have so much meaning for somebody," Spotanski said.
Ashley Piaskowski and Christi Fleischman, both members of Kootenai County Young Professionals, were at the Hamilton Woods site on Tuesday lending a hand.
It was Fleischman's first Women Build experience, and Piaskowski's fourth.
"You get a real sense of accomplishment," Fleischman said. "And we got some real cool training."