Women Build 2012 North Minneapolis home week 2

Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - Despite the muddy and standing water conditions, work continued steadily Tuesday. Although no one complained about getting dirty, I think everyone was glad the rain pushed off and the sun came out to help dry up the site a bit. I imagine the ground crews especially were pleased.

The day started out with everyone working as a team to lift and move the scaffolding closer to the house. I’ve seen or been a part of many incredible feats on Women Build sites and it never ceases to amaze me how the power of many can work together as one to accomplish a great task. Teamwork and communication seemed to be the motto for the day, as most tasks required many individuals working together to accomplish safely and properly.

Pat, a crew leader; led the team of us on the second floor cutting and installing the remaining decking. We were harnessed in and had to help each other out with not getting tangled in each other’s safety lines and giving heads-up for side edges, as none of the second floor walls were installed yet.

Even though Rachel, a “first timer”, has only been back in MN for less than a week, she was up working on the second floor installing decking. She is back finishing up her graduate work in Human Development. When asked what brought her to Women Build, she said, “It’s a reputable agency and I’ve worked in transitional housing and see what need there is for affordable housing and sometimes it takes more than the individual to make that happen”. A statement I think we all can believe in. She is enjoying learning how to use power tools for the first time and likes the friendly environment to practice these newly acquired skills and will definitely be back again this summer.

While work continued up, work down low also pressed forward. Crew leader Lisa worked with a team to install the stringers, risers, and treads for the stairs leading up to the second floor. Completion of these stairs will make getting to the second floor a much safer and easier trip than climbing the extended ladder, especially with mud-clogged boots.

Another ground team was led by Robin and worked on some extra touches to the first floor’s walls; adjusted the scaffolding; and laid down more sand filled tubes along the edge of the site for erosion control from all the rain we’ve been having. I talked with another “first timer” Brianne, who was covered in mud from such work. She too believes in Women Build’s reputation and “loves learning new things; being able to use power tools; and enjoys the bonding over the nice bonus of provided lunch”. Taking advantage of her employer Xcel Energy’s volunteer paid time off program, she too will certainly be back and is “looking forward to watching the build from start to finish”.