Niagara College instructors Colin Robinson (middle, holding up a Habitat Niagara ‘Women at Work’ shirt) and Marco Giorgi (right) lead a group of volunteers participating in Habitat for Humanity Niagara’s first-ever Women’s build on a kitchen cabinet assembly project in the Rankin Technology Centre August 19. Volunteers were from Distinctive Designs and Cabinetry Inc. and Cotton Construction.
When it comes to assembling cabinets, NC instructors know the drill.
On August 19, Construction Techniques program coordinator Colin Robinson and construction technologist Marco Giorgi shared their expertise with a group of volunteers participating in Habitat for Humanity Niagara’s first-ever Women Build. Their mission: to assemble kitchen cabinets that will soon be installed as part of a historic Habitat Niagara Women Build, which promotes the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes by hosting build projects with the majority of the planning and execution undertaken by women volunteers.
Niagara College has had a long-standing relationship with Habitat Niagara, as students from the College’s Construction Techniques and Renovation Technician programs use their skills to build new homes in the community each year. NC students recently completed their 10th house in Welland and a home dedication ceremony is expected this fall.
“We are proud to be a part of this historic Women Build, continuing our long-standing partnership with Habitat Niagara,” said Misheck Mwaba, dean of Niagara College’s Media, Trades and Technology Division, who noted that Niagara College students will begin work on their 11th Habitat Niagara build this fall. “Each year, the construction of a new Habitat home becomes a ‘living classroom’ for students in our Construction programs who gain real-world experience while making a difference in the community. Now we are pleased to welcome volunteers from the community into our classroom, to guide them as they embark on the same rewarding experience.”
Habitat Niagara launched its Women Build in June. About 300 women volunteers are participating in the build, which will see a two-unit semi-detached house constructed on Bald Street in Welland.
“There have been Women Builds happening in Habitat affiliates all over Canada for many years and we are thrilled to finally have one here in Niagara!” commented Alastair Davis, CEO of Habitat Niagara. “We could not have achieved this without the hard work of our Women Build Steering Committee, led by Tara Christensen of PEC Roofing and Yvonne Hendriks of Homes by Hendricks, and the phenomenal support of our community. This build is not about excluding men, but actively including women.”
For more information about Habitat Niagara’s Women’s Build visit www.habitatniagara.ca/women-build
