50 Women Building Hope for Families in Elmira This Weekend

This Mother's Day weekend, 50 women in Elmira, New York will pick up hammers and paintbrushes to change lives, starting with their own.

Chemung County Habitat for Humanity is hosting its annual Women Build 2026 event on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. The all-female volunteer crew will tackle two home renovation projects on Mt. Zoar Street in Elmira's Southside neighborhood.

The event does double duty in the best way possible. While volunteers help clear and prepare homes for families who need affordable housing, they're also learning carpentry, tool use, and home repair skills they can take home with them.

"Many participants tell us they leave feeling more confident, capable, and connected to their community," says Sheila Russell, Habitat's family services coordinator. She notes that volunteers gain practical abilities while directly supporting families working toward stable housing.

The two neighboring houses on Mt. Zoar Street were recently purchased by the local Habitat chapter. This weekend's work will prepare them for the full remodeling process that will eventually provide safe, affordable homes for local families.

The Ripple Effect

The Women Build program, launched in 2017, sparked something unexpected. So many women wanted to learn home maintenance skills that Habitat created the HER (Home Empowerment & Resilience) Academy last fall.

The response was overwhelming. The program offers hands-on workshops focused on home maintenance, repair skills, and creating healthy living environments. Due to tremendous interest, Habitat is offering it again this year.

Beyond Women Build, the Chemung County chapter stays busy year-round. The organization is currently building and rehabilitating three homes through its Homeownership Program and offers a Ramp Program that builds mobility ramps for families who need them.

The local chapter, established in 1989, has rehabilitated dozens of homes across the county. It's part of an international nonprofit Christian housing organization celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, with branches in all 50 states and more than 70 countries.

Confidence, community, and capable hands are building more than houses this weekend.