Our newest mural along the Kennedy Highway features Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build.

The Women Build program invites women to devote at least one day to helping families build strength, stability, and independence through housing. Beginning in 1991, Women Build has welcomed volunteers from all walks of life who have come together with Habitat for Humanity to build stronger, safer communities.

The program also spotlights the homeownership challenges faced by many women in need around the country, such as:

• Men earn more on average than women, resulting in access to higher credit, better loans, and better-quality homes and neighborhoods.
• Unequal caregiving responsibilities limit a woman’s time to dedicate toward obtaining and maintaining consistent employment and decent housing.
• Studies indicate that single women are denied mortgages at higher rates than single men and pay more for them when approved.

Women Build brings women together to confront these challenges by building homes for other women, often alongside the future owners. This action can change the life of a family forever through homeownership.

Two Women Build events are taking place in the Chicagoland area this fall for anyone seeking to get involved. The Chicago and DuPage County affiliates will be organizing projects including new home construction and neighborhood revitalization.

Wintrust is committed to supporting organizations and efforts that improve our communities, and Habitat’s mission has been to empower families through homeownership since its founding in 1976. Today, both organizations call the Chicagoland area home and share a commitment to this area’s success.

Wintrust's relationship with Habitat has evolved over the last decade, including helping with local builds, financial donations, and mortgage loans and servicing. Wintrust staff members have also helped build homes and serve on the Chicagoland board. 

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity in Chicagoland, Women Build, and how you can contribute to their efforts, please visit their page. To learn more about the Wintrust Mural, including how to be featured on it, please visit wintrust.com/mural.