Women Build 2012 St. Paul home week 2

When I arrived on site last week, Rhonda updated me on the progress of the house, which is moving along quite well. The framing and walls are completed on the first floor and the garage walls and roof are fully sheathed. She had individual volunteers on both Monday and Tuesday who finished preparing the first floor walls for the next level. Thursday’s focus was installing scaffolding around the house so the second story trusses could be lifted and nailed into place. The next step is installing the second floor decking and walls which is projected for the upcoming days.

Scaffolding is a heavy job, but with attention to leveling it isn’t all that difficult. The footings are the foundation to a level scaffold and must be squared and set on solid ground to avoid a lot of fussing later to even it all out. Once they are set, frames and safety cross bars and finally the planks are put on. Next the entire scaffold is leveled and plumbed each direction to ensure it is safe and to make it easier to add more levels. Lastly, the stairs are installed, which are a much welcome addition for access versus climbing up the ladder of the scaffolding frame.

Jane C. brought us a great group of (RW)2 members on Wednesday. They did a fantastic job of lifting and setting some of the second floor trusses the day before we had scaffolding on site. A crew of women from the Builder’s Association of the Twin Cities led by Mary S. was on site Thursday. This professional trade group focuses on connecting women in the industry with the right networks to help further their careers and achieve success. It also provides scholarships and offers programs to help women get their careers in the industry started. On Friday, Wells Fargo brought us a crew of fabulous women who - despite a rainy morning - finished the second floor trusses and began the decking while accomplishing a lot of other important tasks that contributed to a very productive day and week. Lunch on Tuesday was generously donated by the Little Oven.

As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International with a strong commitment to global engagement, TCHFH strives to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness worldwide. An example of this international impact can be found on our own Women Build site in Olga, a volunteer who came here a year ago from Russia. Olga shared how fascinated she is by the idea of women building an affordable home for those in need. She plans to volunteer every day and take her experience and new found skills back home to help facilitate a similar process that will help address the demand for affordable housing in her home country. Olga said owning your own home in Russia is a great privilege and very few people have the opportunity. She believes that “home is your family” and owning one’s home provides security, stability and connection within the family.

Thank you to all of our Volunteers, Team Leaders and Lunch Providers for being an integral part of Women Build’s success!

Cindy “CJ” Fitzsimons
Women Build Committee Member