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Dreams come true for local mother
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Christine Pratt, director of the Valley Photo Center in Springfield, puts the finishing touches on a blog that will document the year-long progress of the Women Build project on White Street in Springfield. Reminder Publications photo by Alberto Castro
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By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD By early July a small lot on White Street will be humming with the sounds of hammers and saws from women and men across the region, who are embarking on the latest Habitat for Humanity house that on Mothers' Day 2009 will be home to Catherine Campbell and her five children.
Campbell, a POD administrator and practice associate for Baystate Health System, is among a contingent of volunteers who are now waiting for the construction to begin.
"Just when you think your dreams are just dreams, an organization like Habitat reaches out to lend a hand," Campbell said. "I do everything I can do to better my children's lives, and now this makes them look to the future and believe anything is possible. We just have to reach out and work for it."
Volunteers for all aspects of the project are still needed as well as photographers and videographers to document the building process.
"We definitely need ongoing volunteer help," Sarah B. Tsitso, director of resource development and communications for Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, said.
Tsitso explained during an interview with Reminder Publications that once building commences, crews of volunteers will be on site every Saturday working to construct Campbell's home. Prior construction knowledge is not necessary.
"The vast majority of our volunteers are unskilled," she said, adding, "of course, we are always looking for those with skills to step forward and lead volunteer work crews."
One local business, Classic Site Solutions, owned by Cheryl Sady, has stepped up to the plate by donating the labor and materials for the foundation and the footings.
In addition to Saturday work schedules, Tsitso noted that a crew of low-risk, incarcerated women from the Hampden County Women's Correctional Facility will also be working on the job site weekdays.
"This joint venture will provide skills and construction training for these women, who can then pursue jobs in the field upon their release," said Tsitso.
Major sponsors who have also stepped up to help Habitat on the White Street project include Hasbro, Hampden Bank and Lowe's Home Improvement.
Tsitso is a big believer in partnerships and also had approached Christine Pratt, director of the Valley Photo Center, in hopes there might be area photographers interested in documenting the building of this home since it is a special project called "Women Build," where 75 percent of the workers will be women.
"For me personally, Habitat is something that I have wanted to become involved with since I was a teenager," Pratt said during an interview in her studio at the Arts & Industry building in Florence. "But as often happens, other things take priority and years pass. When that call from Sarah Tsitso came in, I knew now was the time to do what I could to help."
Pratt noted that as a photographer, she could not only document the project and help prepare an exhibit, but could also get the word out to other photographers about the need to volunteer for a worthwhile project.
"I plan on taking photos, meeting a lot of people and having a great time," she added.
Photographer Alberto Castro, a colleague of Pratt who also has a studio at Arts & Industry, echoed those sentiments.
"The project intrigued me from the start," Castro said, adding he hopes his time spent as one of the photographers will provide a new artistic angle to his traditional work photographing architectural and interior settings.
Pratt noted the blog site is now online and can be viewed at www.habitat.cprattphotography.com.
Photographers and videographers interested in joining Pratt and Castro should contact Pratt at 781-1553 for more details.
Tsitso also encourages area residents to consider donating some time during the construction phase to help this cause.
"First and foremost, people should get involved because of Catherine and her children," said Tsitso. "She is a remarkable woman and deserves this home. People should also be aware that she will be there, on-site, working side by side with members of the community, fulfilling her 'sweat equity' hours."
Tsitso added that while Habitat focuses on the homeowner and making the family's dream a reality, they also work hard to change communities one house at a time.
"By taking a vacant or abandoned piece of property and building a new home there, we are injecting that neighborhood with new energy," she said. "Our homeowners take pride in their homes, which spills over and often creates a ripple effect that encompasses an entire street, and eventually an entire neighborhood."
Tsitso especially encourages women to get involved in the effort.
"This entire project is about empowering women to take on nontraditional roles," Tsitso said. "Nationally, only two percent of the construction trade is women. Locally, that number is even smaller. We want to empower women to learn building and construction skills in a safe, warm, welcoming environment."
Tsitso also noted that throughout the coming months, a series of fund-raisers and other activities related to the Women Build project are planned and volunteers are also welcome to participate in these endeavors.
For more information on how to participate in this project, contact Tsitso at 739-5503.
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