Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns Joins Global Women Build Effort March 6-7
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (Feb. 4, 2026) – Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County (Habitat St. Johns) is proud to host Women Build on March 6-7, joining hundreds of Habitat International affiliates from around the world in creating safe and affordable housing. Women Build empowers women everywhere to address housing issues for themselves, their families, and their neighbors. This annual event coincides with International Women’s Day.
“Women Build is an opportunity for women to give back to their community, advocate for affordable housing, and be part of the solution through hands-on service,” says Malinda Everson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County. “It brings women together to learn new skills, build meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact for local families. While Women Build centers on empowering women, we welcome all who wish to volunteer and help build a safer, stronger St. Johns County.”
The Women Build program was created in 1991, when an all-female team in Charlotte, North Carolina, completed the first women-built Habitat for Humanity house. With the support of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, all-female projects continued to thrive, prompting Women Build to become an official internal department of Habitat for Humanity International in 1998, which now hosts Women Build events worldwide.
Habitat St. Johns will host the 2026 Women Build on March 6-7 at its newest Habitat neighborhood, Volusia Woods, located on McDonald Avenue in West Augustine. Build hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., with two volunteer shifts per day: 8 a.m. – noon and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shifts are designed to overlap at lunchtime, for networking and tours of the Habitat for Humanity model home. Volunteers do not need any specialized experience. Habitat St. Johns provides all tools and training. Habitat St. Johns is requesting a $40 donation for all participants to help cover building costs. Volunteers may sign up for more than one shift. With the generous support of this year’s sponsors, Ameris Bank, Florida Power & Light, Publix Supermarkets, Skinny Lizard Screen Printing, and UF Health Flagler Hospital, volunteers can enjoy a catered lunch, as well as receive a custom Women Build t-shirt. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. All volunteers must fill out a waiver here. Once the waiver is complete, Women Build volunteers can register for the following shifts: Friday, March 6, 7:45 a.m.-noon; Friday, March 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday, March 7, 7:45 a.m.-noon; Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available by emailing Tom Torretta at ttorretta@habitatstjohns.org. For questions about volunteering for Women Build, please contact Julie Wesling at jwesling@habitatstjohns.org.
