Message from Joanie Winberg,

Founder/President of The Happy Wednesday Foundation

People have long known me as The Happy Wednesday Lady. With this title, one would assume I always focus on the lighter side of life. I'm also a Certified Laughter Leader, which implies that my life has always been safe and fun. So why is Joanie Winberg spearheading a foundation, whose mission statement is to provide a healthy lifestyle for women, children and families through educational programs and affordable housing?.

As a single mom for twelve years, I know first hand about the struggles and fears of divorce. Being a woman alone isn't easy. But being alone with children is frightening and often overwhelming. Looking back, I feel grateful to have been able to provide a home with a safe, healthy environment for my children during their formative years. Other women are not always as fortunate.

How is the Happy Wednesday Foundation living up to its mission statement and making a difference in the lives of women, children and families?

Affordable Housing Goals-

One of the goals for 2007-2008 is to help a family's dream of owning their own home come true. I am the Volunteer Co-ordinator for the Women Build project.

Educational Programs-

The Happy Wednesday Foundation is also raising funds for the Fresh Start after Divorce Mentoring Program for women.

This program was created not only because of the lack of support and guidance Joanie experienced after her divorce, but for all the women who are experience the same challenges.

By starting the mentoring program, The Happy Wednesday Foundation greatly enhances the scope of its mission, affecting many women through such an emotional time in their life. Skills learned from the Fresh Start After Divorce Mentoring Program are considered to be life skills and may be transferred to all areas of a woman's life for continued support (www.FreshStartAfterDivorce.com).

Blessings,

Joanie Winberg

Meet the Family for the Women Build House in Kingston, MA.

Jason and Katherine Silvia
Children:
Kleo - age 9
Noah - age 5
Hannah - age 1 1/2
Jonah 5 months

Women Build News

Habitat home on Grove Street to be built by crews of women. Click Here to read more.

Latest update-

http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/homepage/x357269391

joanie winberg habitat for humanity

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the Women Build Program?
Answer: The Women Build program brings in new resources to further the home-building mission of Habitat For Humanity International in communities around the world. The Women Build program teaches women from all walks of life how to construct affordable housing with Habitat affiliates worldwide.

Question: Why have Women Build? Can't women learn construction on a regular Habitat site?
Answer: Construction is still a male-dominated field. Men are often more comfortable around tools and job sites and they gravitate toward taking the lead in construction. As a result, smart, otherwise skilled women can end up only working on tasks such as painting, landscaping and cleaning up the site. These women rarely return for a second experience, but on a Women Build site, women are encouraged by other women to tackle all aspects of construction and quickly become skilled and engaged volunteers and crew leaders.

Question: Question: Are men excluded?
Answer: Women Build is not about excluding men, it is about including women. It is about including women and opening doors of opportunity. Men are often involved in our projects in supportive roles and as subcontractors when women from the necessary trades are not available. A Women Build is a welcoming, friendly place where no one need feel handicapped by gender or ability.

Mission Statement:

To provide a healthy lifestyle for all children, women and

families through educational programs and affordable housing.

Happy Wednesday Foundation Board Members

women build / habitat for humanity logo

The Women Build house is registered with the USGBC’s LEED for Homes pilot demonstration through CSG, the local provider.

For more information - http://www.usgbc.org/

Talking Points

The Women Build program empowers women to build Habitat For Humanity homes, enabling them to positively impact the lives of children by making home ownership a present reality for families.
Women Build is not about excluding men, it is about including women.
By planning projects where the majority of volunteers are women, Women Build involves more women in Habitat's construction efforts, thereby increasing the number of houses Habitat can build.
More than 12 million U.S. children, one in six, are living in poverty.
When women come together in a supportive environment, they feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem.
Women can realize they hold the solution in their hands to move children out of poverty housing. They have the capability and determination to be part of the solution- one family at a time.