Sixteen women from the Vermilion/YWCA Skills Training Centre are helping to build townhouses for Habitat for Humanity.

The women are all part of the Women Build Program. "Many of the women who come to us are single moms. And so for them to be able to break the cycle of poverty for them, and for their children, is huge. That's life changing," says Arlene Adamson, the director of YWCA of Calgary.

Construction on the eight-unit complex, at 1608 19 St. N.E., is well under way and the women are working on installing baseboards and other carpentry projects.

The women say that they are paying forward the help they received when they were in trouble. 

"It warms my heart helping other people to get out of a place that I was in once, knowing that kids are going to have a roof over their heads is really fulfilling," says Jillian Ashley, a participant in the Vermilion/YWCA Skills Training Centre.

The Habitat for Humanity homes are expected to be completed by May or June.

The townhomes are close to schools, transit and shopping and will give eight families a hand up and allow them to become homeowners.

Habitat for Humanity uses donated labour, materials and professional services and that helps them to keep the costs down and provide a manageable mortgage for the families.

Habitat for Humanity Calgary was formed in 1988 and will celebrate the completion of their 100th house in 2009.

Over 4000 volunteers chip in on the affordable homeownership program every year.

For volunteer and donation information click on the Habitat for Humanity link.