PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pensacola Habitat for Humanity wrapped up its inaugural Pride Build campaign with a three-day build week, as 37 volunteers worked together to promote inclusion and community with a first-of-its-kind event in the Pensacola area.

The Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Pride Build was a historic undertaking, bringing members and supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community together to build unity, hope, safety and togetherness, as well as construct a home for a Pensacola Habitat for Humanity homebuyer. Initially planned as a one-day event, the build expanded to three days to welcome everyone eager to join the fun initiative.

“We believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and to have a part of our community that’s been underserved and underrepresented come together to physically build a home and emotionally build inclusion, unity and community is everything we hoped for with our first Pride Build,” said Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Manager of Corporate Giving, Becca Gray. “We’re still buzzing about a successful first Pride Build and can’t wait to build on it in the years to come.”

The campaign was made so successful in large part thanks to a $20,000 grant awarded by Sunday’s Child, a local nonprofit organization that awards significant charitable grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and initiatives that place value on diversity, inclusion and equality. This grant contributed to marketing expenses, provided giveaways for each volunteer and covered a significant portion of the construction costs for the home. Members of Sunday’s Child also contributed on the build site, volunteering on the first day of the build week.

“As we joined Pensacola Habitat for Humanity for this landmark Pride Build, our members found immense joy in building not only a home but also a sense of unity and respect that embodies our mission of inclusion and equality,” said Aurora Osborn, Vice President of Sunday’s Child. “Seeing so many people come together to create a safer, more accepting community has been deeply fulfilling, and we warmly invite others who share our commitment to promote equality and inspire inclusion to join us in shaping a Pensacola that truly embraces all its citizens.”

In addition to constructing the home, participants crafted friendship bracelets, collaborated on a fun music playlist to be the soundtrack of their volunteer day, and some enjoyed complimentary gender-affirming haircuts and hair feathers provided by local stylist Hair by Andrea, who generously donated her services in support of Pride Build. To add a personal touch, special rainbow-colored boards were integrated into the home’s structure, featuring messages and words of encouragement from the volunteers. 

This was the first Pride Build in Pensacola Habitat history, following in the footsteps of Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country. This year’s event sets the foundation for continued Pride Builds in Pensacola in the years to come.

To learn more about Pride Build or to donate to the campaign, visit pridebuild.pensacolahabitat.org.

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