BY KADEE KRIEGER | Contributing writer Times Picayune Nov 22, 2020
NOLA.COM
Proving to be more than just hardworking, the resourceful and imaginative East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build program constructed 14 special new “houses” this month despite the hardships of a pandemic.
Adapting to challenges of COVID-19, the volunteer teams created uniquely themed playhouses — which allowed for more distanced work — and then gave them away to other nonprofit groups.
The colorful houses took on playful décor and styling, including a superhero’s headquarters, a Cajun cottage, a fishing camp, a firehouse, Boom Chicka 1-2-3, a coastal beach house and more.
Since 2016, the East St. Tammany Habitat Women’s Build program has dubbed each of its women-only teams as “Rosies,” named for the iconic World War II poster character that came to symbolize the formidable contribution of women on the homefront during the war.
The program started with five teams and a total of 50 women and has grown to include 18 teams with more than 200 women. The teams of Rosies have taken turns building playhouses throughout the month.
“These women are powerhouses,” said East St. Tammany Habitat Executive Director Kentrell Jones. “They have been hard at work building, painting and getting creative. Every day, it has been amazing to see their designs come to life.”
During typical times, each team of Rosies receives a designated day to work on a house during a 10-day period. But COVID-19 called for a new plan that would allow for social distancing since building homes requires volunteers to be in close quarters for much of the project, she said.
So, Jones pitched the idea of building playhouses to help give back to other nonprofit organizations throughout the Slidell area that have been hit hard in 2020.
“It is about nonprofits collaborating to help each other right now,” Jones said. “There are so many groups that need to have their needs met.”
Each member of a Rosies team raises $500 in sponsorships, so the Women’s Build not only contributes a playhouse to a community organization but also raises money for East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity’s overall homebuilding, Jones said.
And the Rosies are on track to raise $50,000 for the Habitat chapter.
At Sharron Newton’s home, the “Relentless Rosies” team built a Superhero Headquarters complete with Superman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Black Panther and Thor motifs.
“We want the kids who use this to see the superhero in themselves,” Newton said.
The Superhero playhouse will be donated to Rainbow Child Care Center, a nonprofit, United Way partner agency that offers care for children ages 1-5.
Dionne Graham, Rainbow Child Care executive director and member of the Relentless Rosies, said the donation of the playhouse is a gift and an addition the staff has wanted to make to the playground for years.
She said she loves the theme of helping kids to find the hero in themselves, and that the playhouse is a perfect addition to a bike path that the Slidell Rotary Club donated to the center in 2019. “It helps create a little play city,” she said.
Graham said the “Relentless Rosies” donation is one example of the generosity of Slidell residents.
“The spirit of community in our city is so tremendous. It is so heartwarming that another nonprofit organization would want to help us.”
Rebecca Ferrah, of Covington, said she is proud to be a part of the playhouse build because of how it will impact children.
“These playhouses will make so many kids smile,” Ferrah said.
Among the other nonprofit organizations getting playhouses as part of the Women’s Build are Fire District No. 1, Camellia City Market, Our Friends Closet, STARC of Louisiana Inc., The Good Samaritan Ministry, Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition, Slidell Unit Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana and Community Christian Concern — Janet’s Korner and Thrift Store/Miramon Center.
To see more of the Rosies in action during their month of playhouse building or to sponsor a Rosie for future projects, visit https://www.facebook.com/ESTHFH.
