Women Build Homes for 31 Families in Goldsboro

Four women picked up hammers Thursday morning and got to work building hope for families who need it most.

Lindsay Reaves, Kaylee Malinofski, Chastity Jameson, and Juanita Curtis spent the day nailing floorboards into place at Habitat for Humanity's McNair Heights project in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The women were part of the organization's annual Women Build event, which runs through late March to honor International Women's Month.

"I was so excited that the Credit Union invited me to come with them," said Curtis, a Globe Life agent volunteering alongside three employees from N.C. Community Federal Credit Union. "We got to make these houses solid."

For Reaves, it was her first time on a construction site. After getting tips on how to hammer nails without smashing fingers, the group turned the work into a friendly competition to see who could hammer the fastest.

Matthew Whittle, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Goldsboro-Wayne, said Women Build started 15 to 20 years ago to help women feel comfortable on construction sites. These days, diverse groups show up every week, but the tradition continues as a chance for women to fellowship while making a difference.

The McNair Heights project spans 24.5 acres and will eventually include 31 new homes along Dr. H.E. McNair Heights Street and Berry Street. Construction began in January, with the first three houses expected to finish this summer.

The project received major funding from multiple sources. The state of North Carolina allocated $750,000 in 2022, the Goldsboro City Council approved over $1.12 million in Community Development Block Grant funds in March 2025, and the Golden Leaf Foundation awarded a $500,000 grant. Habitat is also investing nearly $400,000 from its own reserves.

The Ripple Effect

This project represents more than just new construction. It's creating a pathway to homeownership for 31 families who might otherwise struggle to find affordable housing in their community.

The subdivision is named after Dr. H.E. McNair, honoring local history while building the future. Construction will continue through 2028, with volunteers needed every step of the way.

Anyone can sign up on Habitat's website to volunteer, whether they've ever held a hammer before or not. Thursday's volunteers proved that building a home takes heart more than experience.

When these 31 families get their keys in the coming years, they'll know their floors were nailed down by neighbors who cared enough to show up.