Who Are the Women of Habitat Kent? 

Women of Habitat Kent offers opportunities for women who are passionate about our community and affordable housing to come together and get involved. It empowers them to lead as volunteers and philanthropists and raise awareness about the need for affordable housing in Kent County. Being part of Women of Habitat Kent also helps develop new skills, cultivate current strengths, build leadership skills, and grow networks! 

How They’ve Grown 

Before the group became what it is today, Habitat Kent had an active Women Build group in the 2010s. They focused on raising funds for and hosting Women Builds. This group stopped running in 2018 but returned as something bigger and better in the summer of 2021. 

Jax Merritt was one of the founding co-chairs of the group. “The first six months were just a foundation period of trying to figure out what we were going to be able to do to build momentum, community, and membership,” Jax says. “Once we were able to do that, especially in the last year or so, it’s really taken off.”  

The group of 65 members still focuses on these foundational elements, with their council of 18 women guiding the group through three committees: membership, events, and fundraising. These committees create monthly opportunities for the community and group members. 

Monthly Events for Everyone 

Each month, Women of Habitat Kent hosts at least one event that’s open to the public and to group members. These include networking events, Women Builds, and pilar events like their Trolley Tour and emPower Tools Workshop. This month, the group had a Women Build on International Women’s Day. They helped with the framing of the house, which involved putting up the walls of the second floor! 

Jax, who often participates in Women Builds, says, “My favorite thing is when we’re doing this kind of stuff – siding, framing, roofing.” She also loves coming together with others on site. “The sense of community and being able to get people pumped about women coming out here and actually participating, because they can – they can do this. And I think this is going to be great for generations to come.” 

Next month, they’re having a special Habi Hour event with Chef Jenna of Amore Trattoria Italiana at Williams Studio. Registration for this event is available here! 

What It Means to Be a Member 

Membership with the Women of Habitat Kent has many benefits and is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded women who want to be involved in the community. That’s what being in the group means to Jax: community within the group and the county. “You know, I’ve always said that the safest place you can go to is home. So, to be able to see everyone come together and see people get a house – that’s my biggest thing.” 

Become a member of the Women of Habitat Kent community and learn more about the group here.