story & photo
by Angela Olsen

(l-r, back row) Amy Parulis, Niantic, Amanda Duntz, Colchester, Laura Zawadzke, Guilford, Lindsey Kieffaber, Greenwich, (front row) Mary Jane Piela, Niantic, Dominique Moncrieffe, Lowe’s, Diana Lozada, Norwich (future Habitat homeowner), Kristie Smith, Human Resource Manager, Lowe’s, former Senator Melodie Peters, Old Lyme, Terri O’Rourke, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of SECT, Cara Pianka, Clinton, Amy D’Amico, volunteer, Habitat for Humanity of SECT, Julie Savin, Stonington, Mary Charlton, Old Lyme and Debbie Webster, Guilford, participate in Women Build Week.

On Saturday, May 8th the day before Mother’s Day, several local women turned out at a site on Fitch Avenue in New London, to give back as part of Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week.  The weather was cold and damp, but that didn’t stop these ladies, who are eager to see progress made on a home for Sarita Birriel, a single mother to six children!

The local chapter of Women Build, is largely supported by The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme and Lowe’s.  Lowe’s granted a $5000 gift card to Lowe’s stores and also organized some in-store training with practical lessons for women.  Kristie Smith, Human Resource Manager, Lowe’s, says the Women Build Clinic on drywall and insulation installation is remarkable because, “We are not all builders at heart.”

When asked what inspires former Senator Melodie Peters, she said, “I have always had a passion, an excitement of sorts upon seeing a SOLD sign in front of a house…. Just knowing that a family will be moving in soon and making it home.” Melanie now resides in Old Lyme and is a Deacon at The First Congregational Church.

Women Build built over 1650 houses since 1998, and shows no sign of slowing down.  Sarita Birriel  is not alone in needing acceptable housing, in fact, over 12 million children, that means one out of every six kids, are living in poor conditions in this country.

Amy D’Amico, who works in the local office for Habitat for Humanity in New London, set the build off with quotations from Helen Keller and Virginia Woolf.  She began volunteering in college and was so moved that it is now a part of her life.  Amy wants people to know that “Women Build is an awesome program, about empowering people and learning valuable skills.”

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