On a misty morning in October, twelve volunteers from our Chicago studio joined a large group of women in the West Pullman neighborhood. There was an air of excitement and energy, as we had all spent months preparing for Habitat for Humanity Chicago’s annual Women Build event.
When we first heard that the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity was planning to build houses for six woman-led families in Chicago, we knew we wanted to get involved. The spirit of volunteerism at Perkins&Will is strong: we are always looking for ways to give back to our communities.
One of the future homeowners, Tabitha, came to speak with us to share her personal journey as a mom working to provide stability and opportunity for her daughter. “I applied to become a homeowner with Habitat for the stability that comes with having a place that is reliably yours, a place that you work for and pay for and care for. I fully believe that everything will change after I become a homeowner. We will gain a new sense of accomplishment, pride, completeness, and confidence.” she said.
The Women Build initiative attracted women from all functions in our studio, from architects and interior designers, to branding and marketing specialists, to human resources and administrative personnel. Whether driven by an interest in construction or a desire to promote female empowerment, our team, ranging from entry to senior level, was eager to put their skills to tangible use. We did this in three ways:
