Chico’s FAS, Inc. Dedicates Four Habitat Homes in Two States

FORT MYERS, FL (May 16, 2018) – Longtime community partner, Chico’s FAS, Inc. celebrated the dedication of their 43rd sponsored Habitat home in Lee County with local affiliate Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. It’s the Company’s second home dedicated locally this Spring.
As a company, Chico’s FAS believes there is no greater force than women coming together to support each other. They share Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to call home, and know that affordable housing is transformational for women, their families and communities. When women have a safe place to live with an affordable, consistent mortgage, they have a solid foundation for themselves and their children, where they can all create and reach new opportunities.
Inspired by their local partnership with Habitat Lee and Hendry, Chico’s FAS took their commitment to empowering women and providing affordable housing national through Habitat International’s Home is the Key Partnership. Chico’s FAS celebrated the sponsorship of two Habitat home dedications in Nashville, TN as part of the newly formed Partnership for a total of four homes dedicated in April and May.
Locally, Chico’s FAS served as the title sponsor for Women Build for the 8^th consecutive year. Not only did the Company contribute financially but more than 150 of their Associates volunteered over 600 hours to help build one of the three Women Build homes. This house will provide a mother and her two daughters a safe place to begin their future.
“Women Build is all about empowering women,” shared Pam Avesian, Vice President of Internal Audit at Chico’s FAS and Board Member for Habitat for Humanity of Lee & Hendry Counties. “There’s something supernatural about women helping women. The program changes lives, but not just for the women who purchase the home. It also changes the lives of the volunteers who go through the process with them.”
Women Build engages women in the effort to provide safe and decent homes for families in need of affordable housing. By recruiting, educating and inspiring women to build, they can transform lives in their communities.
Habitat homes in Lee and Hendry Counties are built through the use of volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. Habitat partner families purchase the homes at the appraised value, paying an affordable monthly mortgage that includes taxes and insurance. The partner families must apply and qualify for the Habitat homeownership program; pay $1,700 toward their closing cost; attend classes focusing on homeownership, budgeting and home maintenance; and complete 300 hours of “sweat equity” working alongside Habitat volunteers.