News

Women volunteers will raise their hammers at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 5 - 13. National Women Build Week is a nationwide initiative of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program developed in partnership with Lowe’s.

This year in Des Moines, the majority of female volunteers involved in the build are women of color, which reflects the diversity of greater Des Moines and women’s willingness to support Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing. Many of the volunteers are members of The Links Inc., an international, not-for-profit that consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 274 chapters. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

The home that the women will help to construct will be purchased by Hamad and Wigdam, refugees from Sudan. The couple has four children ranging in age from nine years-old to nine months. The family is currently paying $850 a month for their rental expenses, but will pay closer to $550 a month for a Habitat mortgage.

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Nears Goal for “It Starts at Home” Campaign
The Principal Financial Group leads final push with $500,000 donation

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (GDM Habitat) is excited to announce a lead gift of $500,000 from The Principal Financial Group® towards the ‘It Starts at Home’ Capital Campaign. The ‘It Starts at Home’ campaign, which focuses on three main components: expanding the opportunity for homeownership, serving more families than ever before and strengthening neighborhoods, has raised over $4.9 million towards the $5.75 million goal. This gift marks the final push to close out the campaign.

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (GDM Habitat) is excited to announce a lead gift of $1 million from Wells Fargo towards the 'It Starts at Home' Capital Campaign.  The 'It Starts at Home' campaign has raised over $4.1 million towards the $5.75 million goal and focuses on three main components: expanding the opportunity for homeownership, serving more families than ever before and strengthening neighborhoods.

Wells Fargo’s gift will support the construction of sixteen Habitat for Humanity homes and 100 homeowner occupied repairs through GDM Habitat’s Rock the Block™ program over the next four years. The financial and volunteer support will be focused in one Des Moines neighborhood, leveraging efforts and resources to revitalize a Des Moines' neighborhood.  More than 6,000 Wells Fargo team members will be engaged throughout this partnership.

On Tuesday, September 13th Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity announced their 'It Starts at Home' capital campaign during a groundbreaking ceremony at its future location, 2200 E. Euclid. The 36,000 square foot renovated facility, will house both Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat ReStore, is slated to open in early November.

The approximately $5.75 million 'It Starts at Home' campaign is being funded by many private donations, grants and gifts in-kind. The campaign cabinet has raised over $3.36 million towards the $5.75 million goal. 'It Starts at Home' focuses on three main components: expanding the opportunity for homeownership, serving more families than ever before and strengthening neighborhoods.

Please read the Press Release linked above for more information.
Click here to view photos and video from the event!