Women Build

Ashley Switzer has been with Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity for fifteen years, five of them in Columbia, and is now the director of community outreach. She is most proud of Women Build.

“Well over 100 women from our community not only volunteered to build for a weekend — they came in the June heat,” she remarked. “This event was meant to build homes, build bonds, and give these women some time to get pampered at brunch after giving so much of themselves to their community.”

“A participating homeowner said, ‘I was so nervous to come out with so many women and I honestly didn’t think I would fit in. After the first day, everyone felt like best friends! I can’t believe how many people would do this for my family,’” Switzer recalled. “Women who didn’t know each other now play pickleball once per week. Several come to Habitat and volunteer regularly. Relationships are what we are most proud of.”

Habitat is a housing nonprofit that partners with low-income families to achieve their goal of homeownership.

COMO’s most impactful fundraiser was Women Build Show Me Central Habitat, pictured here is Ashley Switzer.

The volunteers and participants at Habitat for Humanity share a dream in which everyone has a decent and affordable place to live.

“Many people think Habitat picks a family, they get this free house, and are then set for life. These families pay an interest-free mortgage for the amount it costs to build their home with volunteer labor,” Switzer explained. “The volunteers make the home affordable, but these families work alongside volunteers to build, do education to set themselves up for successful homeownership, and pay a mortgage just like everyone else.”

The mortgage payments go back into the program to help fund the next build. Many of the families that join the Habitat program are on some form of housing assistance, such as HUD’s Section 8, that can then be redistributed to community members on waitlists, she said.

Habitat for Humanity plans to make Women Build an annual event. This past year, Habitat hosted Women Build in the new, fifty-acre Boone Prairie Subdivision, which will become home to 143 Habitat families.

“Investment in affordable housing is a huge issue and focus for Boone County and we are proud to be part of that effort,” Switzer said.