Longview, TX — Longview’s Habitat for Humanity took its first concrete steps toward the 2011 Women Build House on Monday.

Contractors poured the foundation for what will become the home of Martin and Felipa Torres, an elderly, disabled couple. Construction will begin Oct. 8, said Executive Director Kelly Watson.

“We’re really aiming toward it being a true, 100 percent women-built house this year,” Watson said. “In the past, we’ve had some help from male crews with these construction projects, but the women who have signed up to work on this one are committed to doing everything themselves.”

While all the slots for the first day of construction are filled, Watson stressed there are plenty of other opportunities to help on Saturdays until the house is finished, which probably won’t be until late January or early February.

“We encourage women to come out, either as individuals or part of a team,” Watson said. “They don’t have to know anything about home construction, or even have ever held a hammer before, in order to be useful. We’ll find a place on the site that matches their abilities to our needs.”

Women interested in helping with the project can go to the nonprofit agency’s website, www.longviewhabitat.org, to sign up. They can select a time either by date or by the type of construction scheduled for a particular time. The site also contains information on what equipment women should bring to the project.

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