Women Build 2025 Kick-off Event
Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Innovation Park
An evening of connection to celebrate the past and look forward to Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity’s 3rd annual Women Build!
Join us for an inspiring evening as we kick off Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity’s 2025 Women Build with a special networking event at Innovation Park in Libertyville! Registration is free and offers a chance to connect with past participants, welcome newcomers, and get a first look at this year’s build opportunities.
What to Expect:
- Connect with past Women Build participants and like-minded changemakers
- Enjoy soft drinks, wine/beer, and light snacks in a casual, welcoming atmosphere
- Hear from a panel of Women Build and supporters sharing their experiences at 5:45PM
- Learn how Women Build empowers women and communities through homeownership
- Be among the first to reserve your team’s build day —past participants always get first dibs, but all attendees will have the opportunity to secure their date next!
Whether you’re a past participant or just curious about getting involved, this event is the perfect way to learn more and connect with others passionate about making a difference.
Bigger & Better in 2025
This October, Women Build will be back for its third year, and we’re excited to make it our best yet! With our newly merged Habitat organization, we’re expanding to two build sites in Waukegan and Oakwood Hills, creating even more opportunities for women to come together and make a lasting impact.
Past participants will have the first chance to reserve their build days, and we plan to open registration to everyone else in June. Check back soon for more details!
Check out a few highlights from Women Build 2024
The Basics
What
A period of fundraising leading up to a three week-long home-building event (now in two locations!). Women builders will work on homes in Waukegan and Oakwood Hills—both of which will be occupied by women-led families upon completion.
When
Waukegan
- October 9 – 11
- October 16 – 18
- October 23 – 25
Oakwood Hills
- October 10 – 11
- October 17 – 18
Why women?
Homeownership is a powerful tool for economic stability and empowerment, particularly for women. By providing women with the opportunity to own homes, communities can foster environments that support gender equality, financial independence, and overall community well-being.
Achieving homeownership and the security that comes with it can be far more difficult for women to realize than for men in similar situations. Here are just a few reasons why:
- Men earn more on average than women, resulting in access to higher credit, loans with better terms, and higher-quality homes, and safer neighborhoods.
- 80% of single-parent households are headed by women and women are twice as likely to be the primary caretaker for an elderly parent. This can limit a woman’s ability to dedicate the necessary time to obtaining and maintaining consistent employment.
- Single women are denied mortgages at higher rates than single men despite the fact that studies show that women are more reliable at paying back mortgages.
Homeownership opportunities for women are essential!
1. Economic Empowerment
Homeownership is a significant driver of wealth accumulation. For women, owning a home means building equity, which can be leveraged for future financial needs such as education, retirement, or starting a business. Studies have shown that women who own homes are more likely to achieve long-term financial stability compared to those who rent. This stability is especially critical for single mothers, who often face higher financial pressures and are at greater risk of poverty .
2. Gender Equality
Investing in homeownership opportunities for women contributes to closing the gender wealth gap. Historically, women have faced systemic barriers in accessing property and credit. By prioritizing policies and programs that facilitate homeownership for women, communities can address these inequities and promote gender equality. This includes providing access to affordable housing, offering financial literacy programs, and ensuring equal access to credit.
3. Improved Educational Outcomes
Research consistently shows that children in homeowner households perform better academically. Stability in housing allows children to attend the same schools for longer periods, leading to better educational continuity and higher academic achievement. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University found that homeownership positively impacts children’s cognitive development and educational attainment .
5. Community Development
When women own homes, the benefits extend beyond the individual to the community at large. Homeowners are more likely to invest in their neighborhoods, participate in local governance, and contribute to community cohesion. This increased civic engagement can lead to safer, more stable, and prosperous communities. Moreover, diverse homeownership can stimulate local economies by boosting demand for goods and services.
6. Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Homeownership is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty. For many low-income women and their families, owning a home can be a pathway out of poverty. It provides not only a stable living environment but also an asset that can be passed down to future generations, thereby helping to build intergenerational wealth and stability .