By rdnewsNOW staff

International Women's Day

Habitat for Humanity, Lowes Canada partner provide women and families with safe homes

Mar 8, 2021 | 8:06 PM

Through an expanding partnership, Habitat for Humanity Red Deer and Lowe’s Canada are increasing efforts to provide affordable housing as part of an international initiative starting on International Women’s Day.

International Women Build Week, March 8-15, aims to draw attention to the global need for women’s access to safe and affordable housing.

This year, the organizations in the United States, Canada, and India are increasing efforts by supporting over 300 Women Build projects and women-led households, which will help women around the globe to build or improve decent, affordable places to call home.

“Habitat Red Deer is excited to partner with Lowe’s Canada on our Blackfalds build project which will serve four vulnerable Central Alberta families. Two of these families are single mother led households. Giving a hand up to these determined parents means that their children will have a safe and stable home for many years to come,” said Karen Vavrek, Habitat Red Deer, CEO. “We are grateful for Lowe’s Canada’s generous contribution to support vulnerable women in our community become independent homeowners.”

Worldwide, Lowe’s Companies has increased its donation to nearly $2.7 million to widen its support for Habitat’s international projects that help women and their families.

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“As many things we assumed were stable became fragile in the last year, we are pleased to see that our ongoing partnership with Habitat has helped provide women-led families in our communities with a foundation on which to build a sturdy home,” Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux, Senior Vice-President, Public Affairs, Asset Protection and Sustainable Development at Lowe’s Canada.

Future Habitat homeowner, Lisa and her two boys will soon call one of the houses at Habitat Red Deer’s Blackfalds build home. Growing up in Blackfalds, it has always been important to Lisa to raise her boys there. Lisa and her family currently live in a rented trailer with a leaking roof and mice. During the winter months the windows freeze up and let in cold air, and moss and mold are growing in different rooms throughout the trailer. The family has experienced crime and theft in their neighbourhood. With more downs than ups, their place has never felt like home, but it’s a roof over their heads for now – sadly not a safe or healthy place to raise kids.

When asked what partnering with Habitat Red Deer has meant to her, fellow Habitat homeowner Jancee said, “Simply everything. It took me from down and out – devastated, mom of four. To my fourth Christmas in the same house with the same address. My kids know where to come for every holiday. And we are making memories and traditions that I never, ever believed we would have.”

To learn more about the initiative and partnership, visit https://habitat.ca/en/international-women-build-week.