The 2025 Kittitas County Women Build saw more than 30 volunteers donate their time, skills, and enthusiasm into building homes and empowering other women to work on construction sites. Women Build is Habitat SKKC’s most popular volunteer opportunity, and this was the third time it was held in Kittitas County.
Volunteers had the opportunity to participate as individuals or as part of sponsor groups, including Suncadia, Umpqua Bank, Central Washington University, and Mariposa Medical Aesthetics. Along with a day of service, volunteers spent quality time with Habitat SKKC staff, learning more about our organization’s mission to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing to everyone. There was ample opportunity for volunteers to learn new skills and bond with their teams over group lunches.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity to volunteer. The experience was rewarding, and I was impressed by the dedication and passion your team has for the organization. I would be excited to come back and help out again,” said Jennifer, a volunteer with Suncadia.
This year’s Women Build took place at Stuart Meadows in Ellensburg over two weeks and was especially meaningful because the kickoff day had volunteers help transition the construction of the neighborhood from Phase II to Phase III. The first day welcomed volunteers from sponsor group Central Washington Women Builders Association. They spent the day marking the transition from Phase II to Phase III by building fences around the construction site, cleaning up the completed site, and prepping the next site.
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During another day of Kittitas County Women Build, female staffers from the King County office’s construction staff traveled over the pass to help their Kittitas coworkers inspire more women to work on the build site. They joined volunteers from sponsor group Kittitas Valley Healthcare on lot 17 (of 18) at Stuart Meadows.
It was a hot summer day in Ellensburg, but the wind helped cool off volunteers and staff. Volunteers worked side-by-side with the site crew to apply seam tape before siding is applied to building 17.
“I loved walking into the scene. It was a lot of fun, and everyone was so friendly. They walked us through everything, which was great since my skills do not involve building. More than that, being able to volunteer in the community that I work and live in is really important to me. I never had those opportunities before,” said Katelyn, a volunteer from Kittitas Valley Healthcare.
Stuart Meadows is bordered on the north by a large field. The open space feels like a promise—more neighborhoods, more families who can call this beautiful area home. For now, as Phase III moves steadily toward completion, the volunteers at this year’s Women Build can take pride in contributing to a neighborhood that will soon welcome home six more families.
At the end of this year’s build, Habitat SKKC’s Resource and Development Coordinator Katie Long reflected, “What made this Women’s Build so special wasn’t just the work we accomplished—moving fence lines, installing windows, and prepping homes for siding—it was the chance to coach and teach along the way. Many of our volunteers came in with little to no construction experience, and it was incredible to watch their confidence grow as they learned each step. By the end of the day, seeing them not only complete tasks but feel proud of their new skills was such a powerful reminder of what these builds are all about: Strengthening and empowering one another while building a home.”
This year’s Kittitas County Women Build raised over $11,000 to support affordable housing and increased homeownership opportunities in our region.