2023 West Tuality Habitat Women’s Build: A Big, Fun Success

One of our most popular events returned at West Tuality Habitat for Humanity after a pandemic hiatus and was a huge success! About 25 women turned out for the Women’s Build event in Forest Grove, Oregon on October 8 to learn from West Tuality Habitat staff on how to use a variety of construction tools, then used those newfound skills to help two senior homeowners in the Quail Run Estates Mobile Home Park in Forest Grove. Photos from the event are at the bottom of this blog.

“So many people have been waiting for us to relaunch the Women’s Build Event, which we had to suspend because of the pandemic,” said Virginia Olher, Executive Director of West Tuality Habitat. “The two homeowners are so grateful for the help and the volunteers' feedback about the event has been amazing! We hope they all come and volunteer with us again soon!”

Habitat’s Women Build events are meant to showcase the power of women in our work and lives and to create a more welcoming, inclusive environment for women who might feel shy or unsure about helping out at Habitat build and repair projects, as well to help women to learn basic skills that can help them in their own home repair projects. But it’s important to note that women are ALWAYS welcomed to ANY Habitat construction or home repair project and men are welcomed to participate as well. While the Women Build event is focused on the inclusion of women in the work of building homes, the initiative does not exclude volunteers of any gender or gender identity, nor does it allow discrimination of any kind.

ANY person who wants to learn to make basic home repairs, wants to help vulnerable homeowners with yard work, or even wants to participate in build a house, or wants to help others learn, is invited to join in as a volunteer with Habitat at any time of year - no need to wait for a special event and no construction experience is necessary. Volunteers work under the guidance of construction professionals, alongside other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners. Participants can come alone or sign up as a group. Volunteers with Habitat may help build a new house, construct a wheelchair ramp, paint the home of a person with a disability, or do yard work for a senior homeowner. Whatever you do, you will help Habitat for Humanity in making a difference in our community. We also have volunteering opportunities in our office, in the ReStore, and on various advisory boards. Check out our diversity of volunteering opportunities here, as well as immediate needs posted at VolunteerMatch. Contact us at if your group would like to arrange its own group volunteering event with us: email us volunteer@westtualityhabitat.org or call us at 503-359-8459.

Press representatives are asked to email marketing@westtualityhabitat.org if they want to cover an event.

West Tuality Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and was formed in 1991. In addition to the affordable housing program, West Tuality Habitat also has a critical home repair program for low-income seniors, military veterans, and people with disabilities, allowing them to remain in their homes and age in place. West Tuality Habitat also operates a ReStore in Forest Grove, selling gently-used, donated furniture, appliances, home furnishings and leftover building supplies. These sales help fund its Habitat activities in the area. 

For more information about donating financially, volunteering or applying to be a program participant, visit the West Tuality Habitat for Humanity web site at www.westtualityhabitat.org or call (503) 359-8459. There is also information available at the Forest Grove ReStore at 3731 Pacific Avenue. 

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