MEDIA RELEASE: Build Like a Woman: What Chandra B.’s Children Thought Was a Church Service Day Became the Surprise of a Lifetime

What began as a day of service became an unforgettable family milestone as Chandra revealed that the house being framed primarily by women volunteers through Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) would one day belong to them.

For Chandra, who works full-time as a medical assistant at Integris, the surprise was about giving her children something deeper — hope, stability, and the chance to literally stand inside their future.

“No, I did not tell my children because I wanted this to be a surprise for them, and I waited until frame day,” Chandra B. said. “Once I found out it was Women’s Build Day, as well, that made it a plus! So, this is the first time they know this is our house.”

For Kaori, the moment was transformative.

“I’m excited because this whole thing brings opportunities and a new life,” Kaori said. “It’s like a restart, and it just brings us to a happy summer.”

“I like it,” Ashton said.

Chandra said her new neighborhood, Cornerstone Creek – Habitat’s newest and largest affordable housing development – is built by “volunteers and nice people.”

“It’s a neighborhood with more children in it for kids and a lot of families that have things in common,” she said.

Habitat’s Women Build 2026 brought together women from across professional backgrounds — including business leaders, financial professionals, and community volunteers — to help Chandra’s family move closer to purchasing their first home.

Women Build 2026 volunteers peek through newly raised walls while helping frame the future home of Chandra B., a single mother of two, on Saturday, May 16, at Cornerstone Creek in far northwest Oklahoma City.

Among them were women who traded offices, spreadsheets and daily routines for hammers and framing lumber, demonstrating that building a stronger future for another family can come from every walk of life.

Volunteer Coordinator Joely Dixson said Women Build represents the power of women coming together to help build not only homes, but strength, stability and self-reliance.

“This has been such a great experience, and everyone here is awesome,” Dixson said. “All of our homeowners are amazing, and I just hope more people come out to volunteer – individuals, church groups – whoever is interested in helping their community.”

Habitat Chief Financial Officer Reagan Carter also highlighted that women from all professional backgrounds can play a meaningful role in changing lives.

“I’ve probably done five Women Builds, and it is just rewarding because you get to see families come and build their own homes and how homeownership becomes a reality for families,” Carter said.

Through COHFH, qualified homebuyers help build their own and others’ homes as part of their sweat equity requirement. They also complete homeowner education and buy their new, energy-efficient, affordable homes at cost, without a down payment. Habitat has built more than 1,161 homes since 1990.