Women help build homes with Habitat for Humanity to celebrate Mother's Day

JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) - Habitat for Humanity is celebrating Mother's Day the best way they know how: recruiting women to help build a home! This year is the 11th time they've done it.

"It's about empowering women to build their own home. We do let the boys come. But it's mostly about women and it's their funds, it's their time, it's their energy," said Merrill McKewen, the Executive Director of Mississippi Capital Habitat for Humanity. "And when it's all finished, they come out and celebrate the new homeowner."

Ariel Slaughter is buying the home the women are working on.

"It's really a great opportunity, as well as a blessing to be even in the habitat program," said Slaughter.

"We don't give houses away. There is a zero interest, 30-year mortgage on this house," added McKewen. "But we do empower our homeowners by having them do 250 hours of sweat equity; taking financial education classes; do-it-yourself classes."

Slaughter is just 25-years-old, so she says she's definitely getting some good lessons in those classes.

"They're teaching me so much, I know so much. And this experience is one in a million," said Slaughter. "I get to build on my own home. It's a great experience."

According to Habitat for Humanity, 62% of women say they can't afford to purchase a home that meets their family's needs, in a neighborhood where they want to live.

Slaughter says she went around and thanked each volunteer individually for making it possible for her to own a home.

"Coming out on a Saturday, and coming out here and being sweaty and working hard, it's a lot, and I appreciate them for that!" added Slaughter.

The house is going up on Greenview Drive, a street off of McDowell Road that Habitat for Humanity is reclaiming.

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