Where Women Build: Confidence, Community, and New Skills

Building skills was a side benefit of the two free Power Tools for Women workshops at the ReStore. Sponsored by the Fund for Women of the Southern Tier and the ReStore’s Tool Library (more on that later) 12 women learned to build planters using power tools. According to Lisa, one instructor, skills were important but the real value of the workshop was to build confidence and comfort around power tools. The best moments for her were watching the students relax and lean in to their projects.

The workshop was taught by women builders, some who work on Habitat construction projects. Four instructors, three named Lisa, guided the students through table saw finesse, unclogging a stuck wood glue bottle and everything in between. One Lisa said that she had been an educator her entire career and loved kids, but working with adult students was special. “They know the value of what they’re learning.”

Student Pam got interested in working with power tools watching NataLee Callahan on YouTube flip thrift store furniture and DIY home decor. She was excited to learn about the Tool Library, a new feature at the ReStore that allows members, for a yearly $30 membership fee, to check out power tools, gardening equipment, cleaning supplies (think pressure washer), and more. LINK When Pam learned that the Women and Power Tools workshop included a membership to the tool library she was all in. “I really want to use these tools but I can’t afford to buy them all myself,” she said, “and when I do buy them I’m not sure how to use them. I have a brand new nail gun at home, unopened. This workshop is perfect for me!” Pam plans to continue to be a role model for her husband “who isn’t all that handy” as they tackle home repair projects together.