Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity will mark Women’s Month this March with two signature initiatives designed to celebrate women’s contributions while advancing the organization’s mission to expand access to affordable housing. The month-long observance will combine hands-on construction training with a community fundraising dinner featuring award-winning actor and stage director Phylicia Rashad.
The events will take place throughout March and are intended to highlight the role of women in building stronger communities. Organizers say the dual focus on skills training and fundraising reflects Habitat’s longstanding approach to empowering volunteers and supporting the construction and preservation of safe, affordable homes.
Women’s Build offers hands-on training
The organization will begin its observance with its annual Women’s Build event, scheduled for March 5, 6, and 7. Participants may register for one or more of the three days. The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with arrival permitted as early as 8 a.m.
The build will take place on the Fayetteville Area Habitat campus at 3833 Bragg Blvd., behind the ReStore and between 733 Bargain St. and 3833 Bragg Blvd. The event is open to women aged 18 and older and requires advance registration. The cost is $50 per participant per day.
Organizers describe Women’s Build as a celebration reserved for women and a chance to learn practical home construction and repair skills in a collaborative environment. Participants will receive instruction in drywall, plumbing, electrical basics, and tool safety. Attendees will also build a wooden keepsake to take home.
The annual build is designed to provide a welcoming space for women to gain experience with construction techniques that are often unfamiliar or intimidating to beginners. By offering instruction and hands-on learning, FAHFH seeks to encourage participation from volunteers who may not have prior building experience.
The Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity campus will serve as the central location for the project, allowing volunteers to work in proximity to the ReStore and other Habitat operations. Organizers emphasize that advance registration is required to participate in the build days. To register, visit https://fayettevillenchabitat.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/26465
The Women’s Build initiative coincides with International Women’s Day, observed worldwide on March 8. The day emerged in the early 20th century from labor movements in North America and Europe when women demanded better pay, shorter hours, and voting rights.
The annual observance celebrates the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women throughout history.
Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity will continue its Women’s Month programming throughout March, culminating in a fundraising dinner later in the month.
Fundraising dinner to feature Phylicia Rashad
The organization’s “Home is Where the Heart Is” event will take place on March 26 at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Doors open at 5 p.m.
The dinner will feature actor and stage director Phylicia Rashad as the keynote speaker. Rashad became a household name for her portrayal of Claire Huxtable on the television sitcom “The Cosby Show,” a role that earned her widespread recognition and numerous honors and awards.
Her acting career has included appearances in NBC’s “This Is Us,” the Fox television series “Empire,” and Tarrell Alvin McCraney’s Peabody Award winning series “David Makes Man” on the OWN network.
Organizers say the event will serve as both a celebration and a fundraiser, bringing together supporters, volunteers, and community members to highlight the impact of Habitat’s work in the region.
Sponsorship opportunities are currently available. Single tickets are limited and can be purchased at https://fayettevillenchabitat.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/26620
Proceeds from the dinner will help fund Habitat’s core programs, including the construction of affordable housing, critical home repairs, and youth education programs focused on routine home maintenance and repair.
Habitat for Humanity’s work in affordable housing is part of a broader international movement that began decades ago. In 1973, the Fullers took the Fund for Humanity concept to Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. After three years of work launching a successful house-building program there, they returned to the United States and brought together supporters to discuss the future of their vision.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976. Since then, the organization has grown into a global network focused on expanding access to decent housing.
More than 62 million people worldwide are building their futures on their own terms through access to safe and stable housing, according to Habitat for Humanity.
Connecting local action to global mission
The Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s Month programming reflects the broader Habitat philosophy that housing stability can transform lives and communities.
The Women’s Build provides a tangible opportunity for volunteers to learn construction skills while contributing to Habitat’s work. The fundraising dinner offers a chance for the community to support those efforts financially while celebrating the achievements of women.
Together, the events are designed to strengthen community engagement and support the organization’s long-term goals.
Encouraging community participation
Organizers encourage women to register early for the Women’s Build, noting that participants must sign up in advance to attend. The event is structured to ensure that volunteers receive guidance and training throughout the day.
Participants who choose to attend multiple build days will pay the registration fee for each day they attend. The schedule remains consistent across all three days, beginning promptly at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m.
The hands-on nature of the event is intended to foster confidence and practical knowledge while creating a supportive environment for participants to work together.
The March 26 dinner is expected to draw supporters from across the region. With limited tickets available, organizers say the event is intended to create a shared space for supporters to learn more about Habitat’s mission and contribute to its future work.
Affordable housing remains a central focus
Habitat for Humanity’s approach to housing centers on collaboration between volunteers, donors, and partner families. Funds raised through local events help support the construction of new homes and the repair of existing ones for families in need.
Youth education programs funded by Habitat teach routine home maintenance and repair skills, helping families sustain their homes and build long term stability.
The Fayetteville Area Habitat affiliate’s events in March are designed to support those ongoing efforts while recognizing the contributions of women in the community and beyond.
The landscape of blue collar work is changing. As more women enter trades this is a timely event that encourages women to leave the desks and roll up their sleeves. The work is often rewarding and maximizes women’s innate fine motor skills.
Participants can develop new skills and contribute directly to Habitat’s work. The “Home is Where the Heart Is” dinner will bring the community together to celebrate and support affordable housing initiatives.
By connecting local volunteerism with a global mission, Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity aims to continue expanding access to safe and affordable housing in the region.
Registration for the Women’s Build is open, and tickets and sponsorships for the March 26 dinner are available while supplies last.

(Bottom photo: Phylicia Rashad will be the keynote speaker on March 26 at the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity's Home is Where the Heart Is dinner at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity)