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Why Women Build: Local women building homes and lasting impact
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region is kicking off our annual Women Build event in March 2026. Over the last several years, Women Build has worked to break stigmas, build community, and raise awareness of critical housing challenges.
The event showcases local Coulee women uniting to confront the inequities they face in housing, construction, and the skilled trades. This weekend-long event, with over 100 volunteers, creates a safe environment for these issues to take center stage. Year after year, Women Build has helped produce several Habitat homes in the greater La Crosse region.
With strong community support over the years, this event has thrived thanks to the involvement of local women and businesses. Women Build quite literally builds a community of volunteers to build for the community. To better understand the impact of Women Build, it helps to hear directly from the women involved—their perspectives offer a clear look at the experiences that shape this event. Meg, Charlene, and Janet, who have all served as Women Build lead volunteers in the past, shared their thoughts:
“You get to meet new people, learn new skills (or reminded how to do something you haven’t done in a while), and have fun! Whatever you are doing, you are doing it with others, so the task is not daunting. It is rewarding to see how much is accomplished each day.” – Meg
“Women have long been the prime 'engine' of all that goes on in the home. Now women are able to share their talents and sisterhood during a day of serving in a transformational role." – Charlene
“My experience with Women Build events is the overwhelming sense of literally and figuratively building a community. I hope that the new family can feel the powerful emotions of strength and hope with every drywall screw, nail, 2 x 4, and piece of drywall, knowing it was our community building their new home.” – Janet
Women Build reminds these women of the many strengths they already bring to their community: new or experienced skills, meaningful relationships, and undeniable resilience.
While the heart of Women Build lies with the women who show up to participate, their individual contributions are strengthened by the local businesses that support them, sponsoring, participating, and building alongside them as collaborative volunteers.
In the past, First Supply & Gerhards, Wieser Brothers, Marine Credit Union, CCF Bank and other local businesses have shown up in every way possible to express their support for the community. These businesses are dedicated to the Habitat and Women Build mission of empowering local women through construction that builds community.
Women Build is successful in shifting perspectives of the community, but also the women who participate. Women Build volunteers often continue making valuable community impact. Oftentimes, Women Build volunteers become longtime Habitat volunteers, participating in many other volunteer events. The community feels the overwhelming support of these women expressed through these construction projects. Over the course of Women Build weekend, many significant parts of the housebuilding or house repair projects are accomplished.
Want to make a meaningful impact in your community? Women Build welcomes women of every background, experience level, and skill set—because what matters most is your willingness to grow, connect, and support your community. Stand alongside other local women to make a tangible difference in your community!
Find more information and where to register:
habitatlacrosse.org/womenbuild
Partner Family
Stories
Darshida has been working to become a homeowner for years. She is a passionate nurse, a dedicated mother to four boys, and a longtime La Crosse resident. After years of hard work and unforeseen obstacles, Darshida and her family moved into their new home in spring 2023.