Women Build spent much of Friday building a new home at the Sunrise Trailer Park. However, the group, Habitat for Humanity's volunteer program for women, is doing more than just constructing houses, they are also helping families build new lives.
Habitat for Humanity purchased Sunrise in early 2005 and told everyone they could continue to live there either as Habitat "partner families" or by renting affordable units.
Dan Rosensweig of Habitat for Humanity said, "When a land is set for redevelopment they are often out of luck. They tend to be retirees on fixed or declining income and their only asset is their trailer, but the problem is there is no place to go."
But with the help of Women Build, there is a place to go.
The Sunrise project is the first trailer park transformation in the nation that doesn't displace anyone. The women are working on their second home and Habitat is set to open a 16 unit condominium building for residents.
Jenny Mead of Women Build said, "It's been great to see this area here, kind of, all these houses sprouting up, including some Women Build houses, and see the families move in - it's very moving."
Marion Dudley has been living in the Sunrise Trailer Park for 32 years. Even though she will miss her home, she is anxiously awaiting a new beginning.
"A dream come true. It is absolutely gorgeous up here. I can't get enough of it," said Dudley.
Dudley already has a vision of where she will put her furniture and her artwork and is just counting down the days until she can finally call her new apartment home.
Habitat is hoping to open the new building in mid-June or early July at the latest.
