Chemung County Habitat for Humanity, which partners with low-income families to help them build affordable homes, has a special event coming up this weekend in honor of Mother’s Day.
The local Habitat chapter will hold “Women Build 2026” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 9. Nearly 50 female volunteers will help on two home renovation sites at 233 and 235 Mt. Zoar St. on Elmira’s Southside.
The day of action is designed to shine a spotlight on the urgent need for safe, affordable housing, and the unique challenges women face in securing stable homes, Habitat for Humanity said.
The program, launched in 2017, benefits both families in need of homes and the volunteers, according to Sheila Russell, Habitat’s family services coordinator.
“Not only are volunteers directly helping us build safe, affordable homes for local families, but they’re also gaining practical skills — everything from basic carpentry and tool use to home repair techniques — that they can take back to their own homes,” Russell said.
“Many participants tell us they leave feeling more confident, capable, and connected to their community, knowing they are part of Habitat’s mission to ‘build homes, communities and hope.'”
Chemung County Habitat for Humanity recently purchased two neighboring houses on Mt. Zoar Street, and the women volunteers will help the agency clean the homes out this weekend so the remodeling process can begin, Russell said.
All the volunteers will be wearing matching Women Build t-shirts.
“Women Build also reflects a growing interest we’re seeing among women who want to feel more empowered in maintaining and improving their homes,” Russell said. “That interest has helped inspire our upcoming HER (Home Empowerment & Resilience) Academy, which launched last fall. Due to a tremendous response, we’ll be offering the HER Academy again this year.”
That program offers in-depth, hands-on training with workshops focused on home maintenance, repair skills, and creating safe, healthy living environments, Russell said.
Habitat for Humanity is also actively building and rehabilitating three homes in Elmira that will one day house local families through the agency’s Homeownership Program, she added. Habitat also offers a Ramp Program and builds mobility ramps for families in need.
Chemung County Habitat for Humanity is part of an international nonprofit Christian housing organization that celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.
Habitat for Humanity has branches in local communities in all 50 states and more than 70 countries worldwide. The Chemung County chapter was established in 1989 and has rehabilitated dozens of homes around the county.
For more information on local Habitat for Humanity programs, go to chemungcountyhabitat.org.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira Habitat for Humanity event will benefit families, volunteers
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
