FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties kicked off its 2026 Women Build campaign by celebrating the life-changing impacts that safe, affordable housing offers local female-led families.

Held on March 2 at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers, the Kickoff Party drew more than 230 attendees who had the opportunity to meet and support this year's two Women Build homebuyers, Trinity and Dominique. Their families will soon move into new homes being built through Women Build. Guests also heard an inspirational story from Ashleigh, a homeowner and local mother of two who partnered with Habitat to bring stability to her family.

"I work full-time in a respectable career doing everything right, yet even a modest one-bedroom apartment was financially out of reach," Ashleigh said. "I was racing against circumstances that I couldn't control, an economy that is not built for single mothers, rising housing costs and the very real fear of not knowing what came next for my children. As a parent, that uncertainty becomes terrifying when it's no longer just you that you're worried about. That is where Habitat for Humanity became a turning point."

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Now in its 16^th season, Women Build empowers local women to achieve their dreams of affordable homeownership through the support of local fundraising and volunteer efforts. Since 2011, Women Build has partnered with 31 female-headed families in Lee and Hendry counties. Last year, over 400 local women-led families came to Habitat seeking affordable homeownership.

"We don't give out homes; we create opportunities, and these opportunities are especially important for women," said Becky Lucas, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. "In Florida, three out of four single mothers are struggling. They are working full-time yet still unable to afford even the necessities."

As of now, Women Build has raised over half of this year's $500,000 goal, including record support at the Kickoff Party. During the event, 31 new individuals committed to becoming Women Build SuperPeople by pledging to make annual contributions over the next five years. Funds raised will support 12 women-led families by building two affordable homes for Women Build homebuyers, Trinity and Dominique, and providing HUD-approved housing counseling for 10 additional women-led households.

For more information about Women Build or to get involved, visit Habitat4Humanity.org/WomenBuild (https://www.habitat4humanity.org/womenbuild/).