Women roll up sleeves to work on Habitat homes

POST FALLS — Casey Stimmel is learning how sweat equity can help build the American Dream.

The mother of two is in line to eventually earn a home through the Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho nonprofit. She’s also among about 100 women lending a hand on Habitat's two homes under construction. It’s part of the 11th annual National Women Build Week organized by Habitat and Lowe's.

"Most of my volunteer work has been with animals, so this has been awesome getting to know how to work with people," Stimmel said with a smile.

Stimmel is nearing 300 hours of sweat equity in hopes of someday having a home with more elbow room for her family.

"We are currently living in a mobile home and I'm in the living room, so it would help my kids be more stable and give each of us some privacy that is lacking right now," she said.

The crew she worked with on Tuesday painted Nathan Smalley's future Habitat home on Warner Road in Post Falls. Habitat also has a house on Hastings Road in Coeur d'Alene under construction, with the owner to be determined. They will be the local Habitat's 42nd and 43rd homes.

"We want to do our part to contribute to the community," said Vickie Carpenter, a volunteer and manager of the Lowe's store in Coeur d'Alene.

Michelle Voris, another volunteer and Lowe's employee, said one year the task at hand for the women was moving rock for the foundation of a home.

"We thought, 'We can do this,' but none of the guys thought we could," she said with a laugh. "We made it our mission to move that rock."

Volunteer Lori Heimbigner said working on the homes is extremely rewarding.

"I think it is neat to help someone in the community who is getting out on their own," she said.

Heimbigner said construction work was a little intimidating at first, but that feeling is quickly overcome with the welcoming atmosphere and available help if needed.

James Casper, the local Habitat executive director, said the women do whatever is needed, including building floors and hanging drywall, except not technical work such as electricity and plumbing.

"We want to engage women of all skill levels to join their friends, families and neighbors to build up their communities and volunteer where women will gain invaluable skills to bring back and use in their everyday life," Casper said.

Greg Nowak, the general contractor on the Habitat homes and a guide for the women volunteers, said women definitely belong in the construction industry.

"They really care about their work," he said. "They're more conscientious than a lot of the men I've worked with."

Casper said the local nonprofit didn't receive any funding in conjunction with the national week, but still wanted to hold the volunteer event because it’s so popular.

"It's all about participation and empowerment," he said.