Habitat for Humanity Women Build begins

By: ALLEN MINCEY

For the next two months, teams of women will be working on two new homes as part of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland’s Women Build 2026 at 1990 Blythe Ave., building a duplex for two new Habitat residents: the Stewart family and the Chaney family.

“Owning a home was like something far away, something meant for other people, but through the home ownership program of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, our dream is coming to reality,” said Angela Stewart. “This home is not just wood, nails and paint. This home is hope. This home is safety. This home is place where our children can grow and learn and feel proud. It is a place where we can sit at the dinner table, celebrate birthdays and make memories that will last forever.”

Stewart thanked everyone she could for helping her get into a home, and especially the women who will be building the residence.

“We are especially thankful for the women build Initiative,” she said. “Seeing the women from our community come together with strength, love and determination has inspired us more than words can say.”

Brittany Cannon, director at the PIE Innovation Center, was a guest speaker at the Women Build 2026 event. Being a successful woman herself, she praised those who would be utilizing skills they never knew they could master.

But, she said, all throughout history, “women have always been builders.”

“We build families, opportunities, relationships, and today you're actually building a home,” Cannon said. “Women Build is much more than construction. It's about giving women that come together for a shared purpose. It's about giving our time, talents and energy to create a safe, stable home for families in our community. When women come together, incredible things can happen.”

Jessica Arnold was one of the women from Easy Auto working one the first day of the Women Build. She presented a check for $25,000 to Habitat as the lead sponsor for the event.

“This was pretty exciting for me,” she said. “I got to hold a big check. I got to use power tools. This is a good day. We're so excited and proud to be part of Habitat for Humanity.”

Arnold noted that Habitat’s mission fits into Easy Auto’s mission — helping people.

“Our mission at Easy Auto is simple — helping people move forward, It creates stability in their lives,” she said. “Habitat shares the same mission, but from a different starting point. They help families build safe, affordable homes, which are truly the foundation for everything.”

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland CEO David Gray agreed.

“For me, this is where the magic happens,” he said. “What you ladies are doing today, this is magic, because there's something amazing and something profound and something special when people come together to pursue a common goal.”Easy Auto’s women’s team is one of 18 teams participating in the Women Build 2026. Several are return teams, having participated in previous builds. And some have very interesting names.

Teams participating this year include the following:

Bradley Sunrise Rotary Women

Chicks with Sticks

ConstructHERS

Easy Auto Women

Eaton CTN WAVE Team

Elite NAIL Team

Female Framers 1

Female Framers 2

Female Framers 3

Food City EMPOWER

Hammers & Heels 1

Hammers & Heels 2

Murmaids on Mission

Sawdust & Stilettos

She Got IT

Thrift Queens

TCFCU ConstructHERS

United Way Framing Futures

The Women Build 2026 for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland will continue to May 2.