Fabulous A Framework for

The homes and hearts of women throughout El Paso are being given a helping hand by ladies like them. “She Builds” is part of Americorps’ “Rebuilding Together” initiative that is a womenled and women-focused collaboration that empowers women to maintain safe homes, while also making a difference in the community. Programming as part of She Builds includes participation in home and community renovation projects, home repair training, and leadership training where women learn basic plumbing and carpentry skills, the do’s and don’ts of electrical safety, and other hands-on training during repair projects.

“There is a need for women to learn other skills for everyday life,” says Isabel Salcido, City Representative for District 5, who has participated in the workshops. “It’s very empowering doing handy work; this will definitely help women in their homes and in the community.”

She Builds is working to address the needs of homes that need help, many of which are headed by women.

According to the National Women’s Law Center, more than one in eight women and one in six children in the United States live in poverty. Moreover, women-headed households with children are in greater need of home repairs than other household types.

The workshops and projects hosted by She Builds create a framework for fabulous that expand and enhance myriad skills that include:

• Improved ability to perform home repair tasks

• Improved sense of self-worth

• Deeper connection to community and a network of supportive local women

• Increased partnerships between women-owned and women-led businesses and organizations that support fellow women in need

She Builds El Paso has hosted home repair workshops for women community leaders in El Paso that encourage other local women to participate.

“I would definitely recommend these workshops,” says Cindy Conroy, Director of Community Outreach at WestStar Bank. “It is a great to know basic home repair that could cost a lot of money just to have somebody come over and do some really easy stuff. It feels good to know that you can do it yourself and that you can maintain your home.”