On March 26-27, Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, in partnership with the Long Term Recovery Group of Santa Cruz County, hosted a Women Build event in Boulder Creek to rebuild homes lost in the 2020 CZU fire.
Habitat volunteer Shannon Aliotti at work.
Habitat provided volunteers and professional construction staffing to support their efforts as part of an ongoing partnership.
Women and children are disproportionately affected by poor living conditions, and events like this provide an invaluable opportunity for women to take a hands-on role in creating positive change.
Volunteers came from berry seller Driscoll’s, which has been a supporter of Women Build for the past three years.
Other Women Build sponsors include Bay Federal Credit Union and West Coast Community Bank (formerly Santa Cruz County Bank).
Driscoll’s volunteers braved cold and damp weather, making the drive to Boulder Creek to volunteer for two full days to help rebuild a home for a local family.
Debbie Lewis and Michelle Montalvo work together as Bryan Longmire looks on.
Lyndsey Marks, Habitat Monterey Bay’s director of resource development, said, “We are deeply grateful to everyone who is contributing their time and energy to make this event happen.
In 2024, Santa Cruz Long Term Recovery Group launched a Volunteer Rebuild Program with the goal of building 15 homes over three years for some of the most vulnerable CZU Fire families. See www.sccltrg.org
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To volunteer at Habitat Monterey Bay, see www.habitatmontereybay.com/volunteer-sign-up
TOP PHOTO: Enthusiastic volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Back row: Elizabeth Barajas, Veronica Mata, Alicia Melgoza, and Shannon Aliotti. Front row: Guillermina Medrano, Michelle Montalvo, Debbie Lewis, and Maritza Acevedo.