This past spring, Ivy Tech Community College's site in Lawrence became the location of a special project as part of the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity’s annual Women Build initiative.
On the weekend of April 13, the east parking lot at Ivy Tech in Lawrence was transformed into a bustling construction site where women volunteers built the panels for two homes. These panels became the walls for the homes of the Berry and Carter families, both of which were dedicated on August 29 on Indy’s south side.
The project came together after Lisa Boncosky, co-owner of Art to Remember and a dedicated volunteer with Indy Habitat (on the “Tiger” team), reached out to Angela Arnold, director of satellite operations at Ivy Tech Indianapolis. Boncosky was helping secure a site for the panel build, and the Ivy Tech Lawrence site – next door to Art to Remember – quickly emerged as an ideal location.
Arnold coordinated with Habitat for Humanity to arrange the use of Ivy Tech’s parking lot and ensured smooth logistics for the delivery and pickup of the panels.
“We were happy to provide the space needed for Habitat for Humanity to hold their Women Build Panel Build,” Arnold said. “It was exciting to see the changes in the project from Friday to Monday and know that their efforts would be making a difference in someone’s life in a big way.”
The Women Build event is part of Habitat for Humanity’s effort to engage women in both the physical construction of homes and in fundraising efforts. According to Amy Donhardt, associate director of volunteerism & events at Greater Indy Habitat, Women Build brings together women from all walks of life to raise the necessary funds through peer-to-peer campaigns and then participate in the construction.
“This year, over 500 women came together to build two homes,” Donhardt shared about Women Build’s 11th annual build. “It’s a powerful way to engage the community in something bigger than themselves.”
Donhardt explained that while Habitat’s panel builds are typically hosted at sponsor locations, Women Build required finding a new spot. Ivy Tech’s Fairbanks Building, with its spacious lot, was perfect for the job. Volunteers spent the weekend constructing the frames of the homes in Ivy Tech’s lot, and the panels were later transported to the job site on the city’s south side.
“At the end of the day, all the panels are stacked into four large piles, and we have a moving company transport them to the build site,” Donhardt explained.
This isn’t the first time Ivy Tech has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for a panel build. The College has previously offered its parking lot many times to Greater Indy at the downtown Indianapolis campus, including in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, when Ivy Tech Indy staff and faculty gathered for days of service to build home panels.
Reflecting on the partnership, Donhardt shared her appreciation for Ivy Tech’s support. “We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Ivy Tech, and we’re grateful for their continued involvement. It’s always inspiring to see the community come together to make homeownership possible for deserving families.”
Both the Berry and Carter families were overjoyed at the August dedication ceremony, where they saw the completed homes for the first time.
"One of the daughters was just so overjoyed and brought to tears about the appreciation for the work her mom put in to get them into the home," Donhardt recounted.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity homes is that people receive homes for free—this is not the case. Habitat homebuyers pay a modest down payment, invest 200 hours of “sweat equity,” which includes a homeownership education program, financial counseling, and the construction of their home, and are responsible for 0% interest monthly mortgage payments and home maintenance.
As Ivy Tech continues its mission to serve the community, Arnold hopes to support future projects like Women Build.
“The Lawrence site is proud to play a part in helping families achieve the dream of homeownership,” Arnold said.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
