2024 Women Build
Manatee Habitat is partnering with women (we welcome men to get involved as well) in the community to build a home for Sherline, a single mother, and her two children. Please join us in fundraising, building, and event planning yearlong to get Sherline and her family into their home.
The Women Build Committee is a dynamic group of dedicated individuals who believe in the power of community and the strength of women coming together to make a difference. Join the committee to get involved in our upcoming 2024 Women Build events.
Pick Your Team!
Get ready to make a real impact! Join forces with us in our crowdfunding mission to support Sherline’s home. Here’s your chance to be a part of something meaningful. Choose your squad: Team Hard Hats, under the guidance of Sarah Clough, or Team High Heels, captained by Patti Moore. The victorious team will be celebrated on the day we raise the walls for Sherline’s new home. The question is: which team will you champion?
Join Team Hard Hats
Led by Sarah, an experienced roofer, Team Hard Hats is a group of determined and skilled individuals ready to tackle any construction challenge thrown their way. With their trusty hard hats on and their sleeves rolled up, Team Hard Hats is prepared to build a sturdy and reliable home for Manatee Habitat’s 2024 Women Build project.
Join Team High Heels
Step into elegance and empowerment with Team High Heels, spearheaded by the charismatic Patti Moore. As a member of this dynamic squad, you’ll embody sophistication and grace while making a tangible difference in Sherline’s life.
Women Build Events
Coming Soon…
- Home Dedication – To be determined
- Wall Raising Day – To be determined
2024 Women Build Homebuyer, Sherline’s Story
Sherline, a single mother of three, exemplified resilience in every aspect of her life. Despite never having a consistent home, she remained steadfast in her determination to provide stability for her 15-year-old son, Moses, and her 13-year-old daughter, Angellah-Rose. Since moving to Manatee County in 2014, she experienced various living situations, from brief stays with family to low-income housing. Each transition only fueled her desire for a place she could truly call home.
In 2020, the affordable apartment complex where she had settled increased its rates significantly, putting immense strain on her already stretched finances. Working two jobs, Sherline tirelessly searched for an affordable place before her lease ended.
Women Build prospective homebuyer, Sherline, and her two children stand at the site of their future home.
The pandemic and housing crisis made her options scarce, but her relentless spirit drove her to explore unconventional solutions. It was during this search that she stumbled upon an RV for sale. Though far from an ideal living situation for a family of three, it was the only affordable option, prompting her to make the difficult decision to purchase it and relocate her family.
Over the years, they made the best of their RV living conditions, although challenges like limited storage space and a rat infestation posed significant hurdles. Despite these trials, Sherline clung to the hope that their circumstances were temporary, never abandoning her dream of owning a real home.
Tragedy struck in 2021 when Sherline lost her mother, but amidst the sorrow, a life-changing opportunity arose. She inherited a substantial sum of money, fueling her determination to transform her family’s life. Eager to secure a permanent residence, she began house hunting, but finding an affordable home proved challenging. A glimmer of hope emerged when she discovered a mobile home company willing to assist if she could secure a piece of land.
Undeterred, Sherline participated in a county auction and won a valuable plot in Bradenton. Excited, she returned to the mobile home company, ready to build her dream home. However, an unexpected setback arose when she was informed that she didn’t qualify for the assistance she had anticipated. Feeling disheartened and misled, Sherline decided to seek help from Manatee Habitat, hoping we could guide her on this crucial journey toward a stable and permanent home for her family.
Since getting accepted into our homeowner program, she has been eager to begin her sweat equity hours and financial counseling. Most of all, she is eternally thankful to Manatee Habitat’s Women Build committee for their commitment to helping her achieve stability for herself and her family.
“I’ve been paying rent since I was 17 years old. Having our own home will mean every penny I put into this home will be an asset to my children and not some stranger.”
— Sherline, 2024 Women Build prospective homebuyer
Sherline Shares her Story
2024 Women Build prospective homeowner, Sherline, joined us at our kickoff event to share her touching story.
Our 2024 Women Build was sponsored, in part, by:
