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~~~ Diane Dondero and Mary McCann ~~~
Babes in Belts
(Women in Tool Belts - Learning they can build)
Diane Dondero, Founder and Executive Director of Babes In Belts and Mary McCann, Director of Production and Marketing. There is more than what meets the eye with Babes in Belts that started with Diane's decision to take responsibility for herself and her family's preparedness and protection from unpredictable climate changes. A decision that inspired a dream that has grown into an outstanding community service.

She found that many single and older women, often without benefits, are overwhelmed by the thought of being alone in a natural disaster - identifying a group fallen through the cracks of social services with no place to start. Babes in Belts fills that crack empowering women with education, training, and hands-on skills to build shelters, domes homes, and more. LFC construction was chosen for their "women friendly" materials that are lightweight, go together like Leggos, that will withstand severe conditions.

Education was the next big step so Diane went to the men and recruited local master builders and other experts to provide workshops. Coordinating all the elements involved, floor plans, permits, materials, labor, training and education, etc., is quite a task yet Babes in Belts has achieved a very complete and organized system. Labor is the key thing, this is handled through community-based volunteering, what they call "sweat equity" and it is just that! Labor is put in the 'bank' as each volunteer commits to 160 hours minimum, it's a community payback guarantee that reduces building costs down to $35k - $60k depending on which plan is chosen, a comparatively inexpensive way to build your house and shelter.

Visit BabesinBelts.com for details including storing food and water, articles, building with Habitat for Humanity, the shelter build program, and the next scheduled volunteer orientation. You will also find plans, educational DVDs, and consultation scheduling on their Shopping Cart. The DVDs and forthcoming workbook are a great resource for any location. You will enjoy the very cool one minute video on the main page.









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August 12th, 2008
"Empowering Women and Benefiting All"
 Founder Diane has created a marvelous organization by holding the focus and "finding myself doing things I've never done before." So what was the seed that grew into this wonderful manifestation? "Climate change is a fact, and I decided to take personal responsibility for my life and do something to protect myself and my family." Things began falling into place and soon this huge picture came into her mind called "Babes in Belts" but she had no idea how to implement what she imagined until she realized she had already started! Through workshops with the manufacturers, master builders, and other experts, she has provided education and a way for women to prepare for earth changes. With volunteers -the community, helping each other and using materials that even the elderly can easily handle she is enabling women to build shelters and dome homes. Mary explains "we demystify the entire process ..the floor plans, how the volunteers work by using 'sweat equity'" (like a barn raising on steroids and it works!) If you can't afford the next step on your own project right now, you can pay forward with volunteered hours that will come back to you when ready. They have orientations twice a month and once you sign non-disclosure documents, as homeowners want privacy, you can register with B'nB and get started! A workbook is coming to accompany the educational DVDs available on their site, so far they have trained almost 400 people!

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