Wai Yin Chan and Linda "Digger" Barrow Women Build

At Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, home starts at the core—the heart of our mission, the center of our community, and the people who make it all possible.

This year's Women Build honors two extraordinary women: Linda "Digger" Barrow and Wai Yin Chan. For decades, they have been a constant presence on our build sites, embodying the spirit and strength of our CORE volunteer team—the Committed, Outstanding, Reliable, and Essential crew who serve as an extension of our staff and mission. As IVHFH Construction Manager Christy Shipley puts it, "They are CORE. They are the ones we count on, in the heat and the snow, week after week. They are the heart of what we do." And it's not for recognition, Digger says, "We do what we do for people who don't have what we have, but they are every bit deserving."

LEARN MORE about Digger and Wai Yin!

As we celebrate Wai Yin and Digger, they invite you to build alongside them and a family who has worked hard to earn this opportunity: Mohamed, Shaza, and their four children. In 2015, Mohamed and Shaza left Sudan through the Diversity Visa program, determined to create a better life for their family. They settled in Iowa City, drawn by the warmth of the Sudanese community. Despite Mohamed's long, unpredictable work hours and Shaza's daily challenges in managing their busy household while studying to become a dental assistant, their biggest struggle remains finding a safe and affordable home with space to thrive. Their apartment is small and noisy, with no space for playdates, studying, or a decent rest.

For Mohamed and Shaza, owning a Habitat home means more than shelter; it's an investment in their children's future. Mohamed shares,

"My goal was safety. And good schools. This is my investment in my kids. I want to send them on the right track. Invest in them better so they can do better. They say the kids are affected positively or negatively by their surroundings, so this is a very important thing."

LEARN MORE about Mohamed and Shaza!

Our Goal:

The Women Build committee is working to raise at least $55,000 and recruit volunteers to build a home with Mohamed and Shaza. Funds will also support Helping Hands projects to make affordable home repairs and/or accessibility modifications for existing homeowners. Donate today to help us reach our fundraising goal! Donations can also be made by check and mailed to IVHFH | 2401 Scott Blvd SE | Iowa City | IA | 52240. Include "Women Build" in the memo. Make a gift to our Venmo account @iowavalleyhabitat.

WOMEN BUILD EVENTS

• July 17, 5:30 pm: Groundbreaking Ceremony. Join the Women Build committee and the future homeowners as we break ground at the site of the 15th Women Build home. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 17, at 5:30 pm at 708 9th Avenue in Coralville.
• July 26, 9:00 am-1:00 pm: Frame Decorating Party! Decorate 2x4 boards that will frame the Women Build home. All ages are welcome! Come and go, but join us for lunch at around 11:00 am. RSVP is required; email sammi@iowavalleyhabitat.org to reserve your spot.
• Can't attend our Frame Decorating Party, but still want to decorate a stud? Pick up a 2x4 at our office starting July 14, decorate it, and return it by August 4. To reserve your stud, email sammi@iowavalleyhabitat.org.
• August 6, 5:00–8:30 pm: Women Build Construction Class #1. This is a beginner-level class for those interested in volunteering to build Habitat homes. The Women Build committee and IVHFH construction staff host the workshop, but ALL ARE WELCOME! Attendees must be at least 18 years old—email sammi@iowavalleyhabitat.org to reserve your spot.
• September 18, 6–8 pm: HAMMERS AND HARDHATS! Visit our event page for more information and to purchase tickets. Don't miss Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's event of the year!