Habitat for Humanity is wrapping up a very successful year of its Women Build initiative.

Women Build events provide opportunities for women to get involved and help in the mission to provide safe, affordable homes for families in need.

During its 13th Women Build season, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry counties had more than 140 volunteers who put in 895 hours of work on seven different homes for female-led families.

One of the homes is for Veronica Byrd, a single working mom of three small children. 

“It feels amazing to have the love of different women, even women who don’t know me, they’re still giving me love. It just makes me feel very empowered as a woman,” said Byrd.

Women Build fundraising teams and individual donors also raised over $379,000 to fund construction costs. This year overall, Habitat for Humanity will be building 66 affordable homes in Lee and Hendry County.