Rebuilding Together Aurora will host its first-ever local women’s build on Friday, Sept. 7, and Saturday, Sept. 8, where women will come together to help a single mother whose children were affected by lead poisoning in their home.

Thanks to key sponsors Lowe’s and Green T services, the lead hazards will be eliminated and many repairs will be completed throughout the home.

Rebuilding Together Aurora will host more than 40 female volunteers to repair the home of the Blanco family on Aurora’s near west side with the goals of eliminating all lead hazards and helping to make their home safer and healthier while teaching female volunteers valuable skills. Projects will include window replacement, painting, carpentry, plumbing repairs, installation of flooring, landscaping and more.

Volunteers of note include Tonia Khouri, owner of Green T Services; Tiffany Wells, Mrs. Aurora and contestant in the upcoming Mrs. Illinois pageant; Coach Christina Fried and the Aurora University Women’s Lacrosse Team, the Wells Fargo Women’s Action Network, female employees of Lowe’s of Naperville and women from across the Fox Valley.

Heather Binder, executive director of Rebuilding Together Aurora, said Blanco is “a great mother of two beautiful children” who has worked hard to create a safe and loving home.

“Unfortunately, her beautiful 100-year-old home is also a danger to her children due to lead paint and other overdue repairs,” Binder said. “As women in the professional trades and the community, we are compelled to support her and her children by lending a hand and making her home safe and healthy.”

Binder said the community becomes stronger when it strengthens its housing and human resource infrastructure.

“At the first ever women’s build, not only will we help a family in need, but we will also learn valuable skills to use in future volunteer efforts and, in the process, we become more knowledgeable and empowered women in the community,” she said.

About Rebuilding Together Aurora

Rebuilding Together Aurora is a leading local housing agency, founded in 1993 as a local “Christmas in April” affiliate. Each year, Rebuilding Together Aurora and more than 1,000 annual volunteers serve approximately 100 low income homeowners in need, including veterans, people with disabilities, older adults, families with children by providing them with a variety of critical home repairs aimed at created safe and healthy housing for all.

All repairs are provided free of charge to the recipients who often live with extremely limited resources. Over its 25 year history, Rebuilding Together Aurora has repaired more than 1,000 homes and invested over $3.5 million in value into the community. Learn more and get involved at www.rtaurora.org