Willow Glen Resident

Cover Story

Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Straight Line: Habitat for Humanity volunteer and AAUW president Brenda Ladewig (right) and Barbara Snyder measure wooden two-by-fours that will be used as the framing for a new home on Willow Street. Willow Glen resident Pamela Anderson-Brulé's architectural firm designed the house.

Nailed It

Women team up to build a Habitat for Humanity home

By Alicia Upano

So long bake sales, hello power tools. That's what Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity women volunteers are saying.

On Mother's Day weekend, nearly 20 women rolled back their sleeves and pounded nails into two-by-fours, creating three walls for the newest Habitat for Humanity home on the edge of Willow Glen. The house, located at 312 Willow St. across from Sacred Heart Church, is also the first Women Build project.

Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity female-run venture that builds homes for families living in substandard housing. The project is run by a majority of women but does not exclude men. Willow Glen resident Pamela Anderson-Brulé's architectural firm, Anderson Brulé Architects, designed the new Habitat house. Local organizations, such as the Willow Glen-based American Association of University Women (AAUW), have committed to helping to build the 1,400-square-foot home.

"I can do just about anything with a hammer and a nail," says Barbara Snyder, a Willow Glen resident. "I'm known for being able to measure it, cut it, and it will fit perfectly."

Snyder and her husband began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity 10 years ago after the couple retired. Don Snyder had designed computers for 37 years at IBM. Barbara Snyder worked for IBM for nine years and then taught at San José City College.

For Snyder, it's been an untraditional retirement that has exposed her to the worldwide housing problem and inspired her to do more. She and her husband built homes on six continents and lived in Eastern Europe from 1999 to 2002 as Habitat for Humanity volunteers, living on a $400 monthly stipend.

During those years the couple traveled to Poland, Romania, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka, where the Snyders helped dig clay out of a mountain that would form the bricks of a man's adobe home.

When the Snyders returned to the Willow Glen home they purchased in 1967, Barbara Snyder was equipped with a builder's knowledge and was able to take apart her own home and make it sturdier than it had been in decades.

She also had a new focus for the American Association of University Women, an organization she joined in the 1960s.

The AAUW was still in the "bake sale mentality" back then, Snyder says, and she wanted the group to consider broader ways to contribute to the community. Habitat for Humanity would become one of those ways.

Habitat for Humanity has become so much a part of her life that during Christmas, she requests her children and grandchildren donate to the nonprofit instead of buying her gifts.

However, last year, her husband did buy her two fitting gifts--a new tool belt and a bottle of Chanel No. 5.

Energized by Habitat's mission, Snyder went to the AAUW board to recruit volunteers for the Women Build project. AAUW president Brenda Ladewig says the project was a good fit for AAUW's goal of empowering women. Ladewig is among 25 AAUW volunteers who will help construct the Willow Street house.

The women need not have building experience. Habitat for Humanity has made handywomen out of those who have never used a tape measure, or wives whose husbands told them to never touch the tools. All that changed on May 13, when the women were breaking down walls and putting new ones up.

After a morning of building three ceremonial walls, these newly seasoned volunteers sat down on the 5,000-square-foot lot for the official groundbreaking. It was the day before Mother's Day, and the event coincided with similar efforts in 10 cities across the nation.

"We think of women as nurturing, caring and loving. And emotionally we think of them as strong," San Jose City Councilwoman Cindy Chavez says. "You're going to be a role model for your daughters, your nieces, and show them girls can be strong in a number of ways."

Dee Bailey, the site supervisor, put it in simpler terms saying, "There are no pansy jobs here."

Strong Foundation

One woman who will be among the workers is Davina Larimer, the dwelling's future homeowner.

Before they discovered Habitat for Humanity, Judah and Davina Larimer considered moving to Las Vegas, where they could afford a place with their three children.

Their two-bedroom apartment provides insufficient space, and the family has special needs. Their 13-year-old son, Joshua, has cerebral palsy and it was difficult to navigate his wheelchair in the small apartment where the family was living in 2005. The Larimers have moved in with Davina's parents in East San Jose while the Habitat Home is constructed. Due to complications, Joshua is incontinent and will never learn to walk and talk. The family frequently has to carry the growing boy.

In addition to his care, Joshua's equipment takes up space and resources. The family spends about $7,000 a month for his needs, ranging from his feeding tube to diapers. Judah Larimer works at a commercial tire company. Davina stays home with Joshua, 6-year-old Joseph and 2-year-old Danielle.

Even with the expensive housing market in San Jose, Davina Larimer was reluctant to move out of the area. She grew up in San Jose and her parents still live here.

Then the Larimers heard about Habitat for Humanity, and they began to hope that they still might find a place in San Jose. The family had to demonstrate financial need, substandard living conditions and an ability to make small monthly house payments. If selected, the family would have to invest 500 hours of "sweat equity," working alongside volunteers to construct their home. Upon completion, the house would be sold to the Larimers at no profit, with a no-interest 30-year mortgage. The mortgage payments are used to build more homes.

The Larimers tried to become one of the lucky families chosen for a Habitat for Humanity home on Murphy Avenue in San Jose. They were denied. They held their breath as they tried again for a home on North 13th and Julian streets. They were denied again.

But the third time was definitely the charm when Habitat selected the Larimers for a home on Willow Street.

To their surprise, the Larimer family found themselves participating in several firsts--the area's first all Women Build project and Silicon Valley's first Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant Habitat home.

The Larimers met with Anderson Brulé Architects to discuss their son's needs. With their input, the architects designed a home that will have a ramp and wider doorways and halls for Joshua's wheelchair. Joshua will also have his own bedroom and bathroom.

The personalized home is a much-needed plus, Davina Larimer says. Even if the family could have afforded to purchase a home, they would have had to make it ADA-compliant.

The Larimers say the house is not only a gift for Joshua but for their other children as well, who will inherit it. Habitat made the dream possible, Davina Larimer says.

"They've given us so much love and hope," Davina Larimer says.

Judah Larimer finds the dream home truly "unbelievable."

Groundwork in place

As the project moved ahead, the nonprofit selected a working crew in line with the Women Build mission.

Carpenter Barbara Cox spearheaded the recruiting of female volunteers and team leaders. Cox helped develop the Women Ventures Project pre-apprenticeship program in Watsonville and is a member of the Tradeswomen board and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Bailey, the site supervisor, is a licensed general contractor and owns Mountain View-based Radius Builders. She has worked with Habitat's Peninsula affiliate in the past and helped build homes in Mexico.

"I've always thought Habitat had a great mission," Bailey says. "It's nice to see people in my profession doing something good for the world."

Bailey says working with Women Build helps her achieve another objective--recruiting more women into the building industry. Currently, only 5 percent of building employees are women, Bailey says, and that includes architects and designers.

"This is a great place for people who are interested," she says. "It's not that hard to do."

Bailey led the women in building three walls on May 13. The walls were constructed out of slabs of wood signed by well wishers. One reads, "May this house be a home, may you find peace and security here."

The signed two-by-fours are part of another first for Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity--the two-by-four program. Inspired by other Habitat affiliates across the country, the program is meant to engage donors and volunteers, Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity executive director Robert Freiri says.

Individuals and groups donate $250 and sign a two-by-four that will be used to construct the home. AAUW, San Jose City Council members Ken Yeager and Chavez, Stone Church of Willow Glen and Willow Glen United Methodist Church are among the donors.

"It's a way for them to feel like they gave something both financially and tangibly," Freiri says. "The two-by-fours will always be there from that point on; the karma from it that will outlast everything else."

Lowe's in Sunnyvale is also providing $50,000 and numerous volunteers. First Franklin Financial donated $20,000.

Major construction begins in June and should be completed within eight months, and volunteers such as Snyder are encouraging other women to participate.

"For the women who are afraid to use a hammer, I hope they will come out and know they can do it," Snyder says. "If you really want to do something meaningful on the first day, you can."

For more information on Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program, visit www.habitatsanjose.org/ womensbuild.html or call 408.942.6444.