Habitat for Humanity gives single moms a home for Mother’s Day

Affordable housing is a big issue, especially in our area. Just in time for Mother’s Day, teams of women from across Lee County are coming together to help single mothers and their families.

It is not every day you see a group of only women working together to help build a home.

“We’re going to be doing some painting,” said Ashleigh Droz, an internship coordinator at Florida Gulf Coast University. “We’re going to be doing some caulking inside, putting up some kick plates.”

They are determined to make a difference.

Using power tools, paint and with the help of Habitat for Humanity, 14 women from FGCU volunteer their time to help build a Fort Myers home for one lucky woman – a single mom with five kids.

“It’s very exciting to be able to put one more family into a stable environment,” said Pat Benner, a board director for Habitat for Humanity Board.

Habitat contractors came in and did the foundation and walls over the last two weeks. These ladies have added finishing touches. The story personally impacts Jessi Drummond, who grew up in a family of five.

“The idea of her doing it by herself and changing her life and taking that on,” Drummond said, “That we can help kind of give her a safe shelter — not only her but her five kids — the story just connects to me.”

The house will be dedicated to the single mom on Saturday. The mother helped in the process, dedicating 300 hours of her time to help build.

Drummond said she is proud of the time she devoted to the project and the efforts send an important message.

“It’s just an incredibly powerful thing to be able to build something as a woman for other women,” Drummond said.