Covington, La. – On Thursday, October 1st, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West (HFHSTW), local sponsors, local volunteers, Habitat homebuyers, leaders from Chevron, representatives from DOW and local elected officials gathered on C Street in Covington to kick off Women Build 2015 with the blessing and wall raising of two Habitat homes. Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that empowers women to make a difference by taking action against local poverty housing conditions. Throughout the month of October, volunteers will work alongside two Habitat home buyers, Danielle Howard and Sabrina Stallworth, as they complete their sweat equity hours and work toward their dream of homeownership.
The inspiring event began with remarks from Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West’s President/CEO, Jeff St. Romain, as he shared the work of HFHSTW and that 239 homes in St. Tammany Parish West have been built since its beginning. Reverend Anne Maxwell from Christ Church proceeded with an opening prayer and blessing of the Stallworth and Howard family homes. Marcia Houghton, General Manager of Asset Development with Legacy Sponsor Chevron, spoke from her personal experience about empowering women in our workforce and giving back to the community.
“On behalf of Chevron, we would like to thank everyone associated with Women Build 2015 for their vision, partnership and tireless work and commitment to the community. With each wall you raise, you’re helping raise the hopes of a family. With each home you build, you’re rebuilding lives. As you work on each foundation, you’re also laying the foundation for a brighter future for St. Tammany Parish,” said Marcia Houghton, General Manager of Asset Development for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit.
Following the kick off ceremony, volunteers, sponsors, local officials and Habitat homebuyers lined up along the foundation to come together and raise the first wall of the Stallworth family home, representing how this community comes together to build homes and hope.
To learn more about our Women Build 2015 Homebuyers or to sign up and volunteer, visit www.habitatstw.org/womenbuild or contact Jennifer Messina, HFHSTW Development Director, at (985) 893-3172 ext. 232.
