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At Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, home starts at the core—the heart of our mission, the center of our community, and the people who make it all possible. This year’s Women Build honors two extraordinary women: Wai Yin Chan and Linda “Digger” Barrow. For decades, they have been a constant presence on our build sites, embodying the spirit and strength of our CORE volunteer team—the Committed, Outstanding, Reliable, and Essential crew who serve as an extension of our staff and mission. As IVHFH Construction Manager Christy Shipley puts it, “They are CORE. They are the ones we count on, in the heat and the snow, week after week. They are the heart of what we do.” And it’s not for recognition, Digger says, “We do what we do for people who don’t have what we have, but they are every bit deserving.”  Linda "Digger" BarrowDigger, a self-taught carpenter with nearly 40 years of remodeling experience, joined Women Build in 2005, when she was recruited by longtime friend Jane Hagedorn. Since then, she’s brought her energy, humor, and fierce heart to nearly every home we’ve built. She admits she didn’t know much about Habitat for Humanity, but what she found was a purpose and a calling. “Habitat is my happy place. I liked being part of a team, combining our individual efforts to build a home for a family who needed one. It has become part of my life’s work.” Since then, Digger has become a fixture on build sites, bringing her skill and her positive energy. She is a member of Zion Lutheran Church, volunteers with their food pantry, and is known for lifting up everyone around her. Whether she’s helping a student athlete wield a nail gun for the first time or leading volunteers with fellow Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity CORE volunteers, Digger brings joy, mentorship, and a fierce commitment to Habitat’s mission. As a CORE volunteer, Digger exemplifies dedication, often saying: “We do what we do for people who don’t have what we have, but they are every bit deserving.” Digger continues to be a leader, mentor, and source of laughter and light on every build site, proving that giving back is a lifelong calling. Wai Yin ChanWai Yin first volunteered after witnessing the devastation of the 2008 Iowa floods, arriving with a broom and never leaving. Volunteering alongside Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager, Christy Shipley, to clean up homes near Iowa City’s City Park ignited a long-term dedication to the organization. What started as flood recovery turned into years of hands-on work in construction, cleanup, and restoration. “I was hooked after working a week with Christy cleaning up houses around the City Park after the 2008 Flood.” Wai Yin has been a quiet, joyful force of care, always doing what needs to be done. Since then, Wai Yin has become a steady presence on the build site. She has helped install roofs, paint interiors, and—true to her character—pick up stray nails for recycling. No task is too small; no act of care is overlooked. “There are days when I do not have any specific assignment. I would pick up a broom or washcloth. I always feel good that the work site looks better for at least a day.” What drives Wai Yin is not recognition, but the simple, powerful motivation of knowing her work helps a family move into a safe and stable home, maybe even a few minutes sooner. “What keeps me coming back is the satisfaction knowing that the homeowner can move in a few minutes earlier.” When she’s not volunteering with Habitat, Wai Yin delivers food for Table to Table, helps at the food bank, or rows on the Iowa River with Hawkeye Community Rowing. Her hands and heart are always at work. Why Wai Yin and Digger?Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's Women Build celebrates women who are community-oriented, generous, supportive, and inspire others. Digger and Wai Yin are the embodiment of those values. They show up—not for praise, but because they believe deeply in helping others. Their dedication over decades has shaped the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity community and helped build more than just homes; they’ve built relationships, mentorships, and a lasting impact. Their humor, wisdom, and willingness to do what’s needed, whether framing a wall or picking up a paint roller, remind us that every hand helps, and every volunteer matters. Introducing: The “CORE Build” To honor the team spirit that Digger and Wai Yin have helped create, the 2025 Women Build home will also be known as the “CORE Build.” It's a tribute to the circle of dedicated volunteers who return week after week, year after year—mentors, teachers, friends. Digger told the men who also serve as CORE volunteers both on Habitat’s build sites and in the Iowa City ReStore, “We thought we would name it the CORE Build, so that every time those of you who aren’t poster girls see the word, you will know that we appreciate what you do.” 
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 In 2015, Mohamed and Shaza made a life-changing decision: they left Sudan through the Diversity Visa program in search of a better life for their growing family. After a brief stay in Florida, they settled in Iowa City, drawn by a strong Sudanese community and the promise of a safer, more stable future.
Mohamed, a former engineer in Sudan, quickly began working to support his family. Today, he works as a machine operator at a local factory, often switching between first and second shifts and working long hours of overtime. Meanwhile, Shaza, who recently completed her studies to become a dental assistant, is at home most days of the week managing the needs of their four children—Logian, Mustafa, Dania, and Leen. With Mohamed’s rotating schedule, the rhythm of family life is constantly shifting. “When he's working first shift, I have to wake up at four something,” says Shaza. “And when he works second shift, they have to be up until 11 or 12 at night until he comes back from work.” Despite these challenges, the family maintains a deep sense of community and cultural pride. The Sudanese community has been a vital source of support. “If something happened, like anyone lost one of his family, everyone supports them,” Mohamed shares. “Even the people you don't know, you’ve never met them before.” Shaza adds, “If we need them, we will find them.” The family's current apartment in Coralville has been home since 2018. It’s safe and close to the children’s schools, but the space is cramped—especially for a growing family. “The kids need more space,” Mohamed says. “[Our oldest] needs her own space. She wants to have play dates with her friends, but you couldn’t do that here.” Shaza adds simply, “More space. We need more space.” For Mohamed and Shaza, owning a home represents far more than a roof over their heads—it is the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. “Finally, the dream of owning a home will become true,” Mohamed says. It’s also an investment in their children’s future. “My goal was safety. And good schools. This is my investment in my kids. I want to send them on the right track. Invest in them better so they can do better. They say the kids are affected positively or negatively by their surroundings, so this is a very important thing,” Mohamed shares. For this family, a Habitat home means play dates, outdoor barbecues, space for schoolwork, quiet for sleep, and a secure neighborhood where their children can thrive. “It is really amazing, especially for the people who have kids, a family, young kids. Something to give them a stable area, a stable life.” Their story is one of perseverance, community, and hope. “Thank you so much. We appreciate all the help you’ve done for us,” Mohamed says. “I’m investing in my kids. I need at least to have something for them for the future. It’s not a month, or two years—it’s something for the future.” Our June Construction Tool of the Month is the Compound Miter Saw, one of the main tools utilized on the IVHFH construction site when framing. IVHFH Construction Manager, Christy Shipley, explains what the compound miter saw is and its use on the construction site. Watch the video to hear what she has to say! What does Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity use this tool for?
The IVHFH construction crew and volunteers primarily use the Compound Miter Saw on the construction site during the framing process. Additionally, we are using it in the warehouse to help frame mezzanines for additional storage and office areas. It can make angle cuts on both sides of the wood, which is crucial for framing work. When you operate this tool:
Watch the video below to hear from Construction Manager, Christy Shipley. She tells us what is happening in the next couple of weeks at our Warehouse and an overview of IVHFH's upcoming home builds. What you will be helping with at our Warehouse construction site:
Meet Larry Kent, a longtime volunteer with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's ReStore team. Larry has been a staple in our ReStore for many years, and we recently caught up with him to discuss his experience volunteering with our organization.
What year did you start volunteering with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity? I believe it was the summer, probably July or August of 2014, that my church got a group together to spend a Saturday at the ReStore, cleaning up items and putting away merchandise as directed. There were about 12 of us, and we were each doing something different and then switching around, so that we each did all of the appointed tasks. It was a really fun situation for each of us. I was cleaning paint off glass panels and had made the statement that it was a waste of time using a razor blade to clean off the panels and it would be a lot quicker to just replace them. One of the staff members that happened to be in the area stated that it was by far cheaper to utilize the volunteers to help clean off the glass as it only costs us a few rags and razor blades, whereas the glass is really quite expensive. Volunteers cost us nothing but are able to give us so much!! I got to thinking about what he said and thought "wow—there is a lot of truth in that statement", and pretty well had decided at that point that I was going to check into doing some volunteer work there as I was enjoying the different tasks I had been doing. What is your favorite memory with IVHFH? My inquiring as to what they needed for help got me into the receiving room on Wednesdays and Saturdays for assistance with items coming in. I was directed in where the items went in the store and in pricing them out. One of the items that had come in and was priced, was a sheet metal chicken that had come from an old barn and was nicely weathered, and about three feet tall. An interesting piece of stamped sheet metal that had been priced at $75.00. After looking it over, I made the statement that it was a great antique and should bring in more and was told to redo the price. I did reprice it at $195.00 and put it out on the floor. Someone asked later what I had put on it and I told them $195.00 and about 15 minutes later it went out the front door! After this, the guys and gals there would come to me and ask about the older items that came in, "What is this?" "What's it used for?" "What's it worth?" It has been fun in dealing with those that come in and ask for a special item and you can say, "Yes, I believe we have that this time. Let's go see." The opposite shows up once in a while also, in that someone gets upset that an item they had looked at just a short time earlier, was no longer available. That is one of the things about ReStore: if you don't find it there now, wait around half hour or so as it's bound to change. But, if you see something you like now, don't hesitate as it will probably be gone when you come back through the store! If you could give advice to any new volunteers or individuals who are on the fence about volunteering, what would you tell them? ReStore seems to have something for nearly anyone to do as a donor, as a buyer, or as a fun volunteer!! The volunteer jobs are varied and many, so there is something for anyone to work with. I'm working on my 90th birthday in a couple of months so, if I can do it, so can many others. We all make mistakes too, a few weeks ago Thorin (ReStore Director) said he sure would have liked to purchase that stainless steel bucket for $4.00 that I had priced it at! It should have been $8.00! What drives you to continue to volunteer with us? It's been a great job to work with some wonderful people, to see some strange items come in the receiving door and even go out the front door, and to deal with the public in finding some strange items, too! It's a job that I hope I can continue! Thank you, Larry, for all of your hard work and dedication to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity! We are so thankful to have you as a volunteer and know that you are always willing to lend a hand when needed! At Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, our mission goes beyond building new homes—we are equally committed to preserving the safety and independence of homeowners through our Helping Hands home repair program. Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Billie Townsend Women Build committee, we’re able to do both. In addition to raising funds for the construction of the Billie Townsend Women Build home, the Women Build committee generously raised additional support for a critical home repair project that will allow a homeowner to remain safely in his longtime residence. Homeowner Jonathan who has spina bifida and other health complications, has experienced growing challenges living alone, especially after the recent passing of his mother. The home, built in the early 1900s, has steep stairs, drafty doors, and other issues that pose serious safety concerns. The primary concern is accessibility. The back entrance, currently the primary way in and out, includes three narrow steps without a grab bar or secure handrail. The sidewalk leading to the door is narrow, uneven, and slopes downward posing a fall risk. IVHFH’s Helping Hands staff plan to construct a wooden ramp that will provide safe, reliable access to the home. They will also replace the original front door, which no longer locks securely or keeps out the cold. Since Jonathan has relocated his bedroom to the front room on the main floor (due to difficulty accessing the second level), this drafty, deteriorated entryway has become a daily concern. A new, insulated door will reduce drafts while making the home secure. This project is more than a repair--it’s a lifeline. Thanks to the generous donors who contributed to the Billie Townsend Women Build! With your support our neighbors like Jonathan can age in place, live with independence, and stay safely in their homes. Do you or someone you know need help with home repairs? Contact Aaron at [email protected] or 319-337-8949. Learn more about the Helping Hands home repair program here.
Our May Tool of the Month is the Compact Reciprocating Saw, also known on the IVHFH construction site as the Sawzall. IVHFH Construction Manager Chris Weckmann explains what the compact reciprocating saw is and its use on the construction site. Watch the video to hear what he has to say! What does Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity use this for?
The compact reciprocating saw or sawzall is a powerful demolition tool designed for breaking down materials quickly and efficiently. Despite its rugged capabilities, its compact size allows it to fit into narrow areas—an essential feature on construction sites. It also includes a safety feature—a hand guard—to help prevent hand injuries! Watch the video below to hear from Construction Manager Chris Weckmann. He tells us what is happening in the next couple of weeks at our Warehouse/HabLab. What you will be helping with at our Warehouse/HabLab site:
A main storage space for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's construction tools, supplies, materials, safety equipment, vehicles, trailers—everything necessary to build and repair homes. The former Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity warehouse was a total loss as a result of the March 31, 2023, tornadoes. We are in the process of rebuilding it and we need your help! Come on out and join us!
At Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, our mission is powered not only by generous donors and dedicated volunteers—but also by the incredible service of our AmeriCorps members. These individuals are essential to our team, supporting not only the families and communities we serve but also the staff working behind the scenes. They bring fresh energy, innovative ideas, and a deep commitment to service that lightens the load for our team and increases what we can achieve together. Whether coordinating volunteers, assisting with build logistics, or connecting with Habitat homeowners, AmeriCorps members help streamline our operations and allow staff to focus on long-term goals. Their presence makes our team stronger, more efficient, and better equipped to serve. We're proud to partner with AmeriCorps and grateful for the members who help us build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
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Our Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. Our Values: - Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ. - Focus on shelter. - Advocate for affordable housing. - Promote dignity and hope. - Support sustainable and transformative development. |
We welcome all who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live. Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize.
Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. |
