Girls Can Build, an Arizona women-led initiative to give young women opportunities in construction, engineering and design, is celebrating its first anniversary with a milestone: The purchase of a vehicle for its Mobile Building Space.
In celebration, Girls Can Build will reveal a preview of the traveling box truck at an event at one of Arizona’s longest-running jewelry stores next month.
Girls Can Build launched its initiative during Women in Construction week in March 2022 and has raised 60 percent of the $250,000 funds needed to purchase the Mobile Building Space that will be operated by its fiduciary partners Girl Scouts- AZ Cactus-Pine.
“This building space will allow us to create a traveling program that will teach building skills, basics of the design and build process and career opportunities in the industry,” said Jennifer Villalobos, co-founder of Girls Can Build and Vice President of Business Development & Marketing for Sharp Construction.
Through the partnership with Girl Scouts and The Center of Building Innovation at Arizona State University, hands-on experience and mentorship programs in engineering, building, construction and design opportunities will be provided to all girls and women across the state. The traveling space is expected to roll out by Fall 2023.
“We are excited to be able to bring more learning opportunities to young girls across Arizona and support them in exploring male-dominated fields,” said Christina Spicer, Co-CEO of the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. Girls Can Build will power community-driven projects like the mobile building space by helping connect them to resources and funding partners.
In support of Girls Can Build, Stratton Motor Cars and Kenzy Architecture & Interiors are collaborating to design and build the mobile unit. The companies, both led by women, have continued to work together to create interior and exterior spaces that will allow for workshops and learning experiences while on the road.
The free event hosted at Molina Fine Jewelers will take place on March 8 at its Biltmore location (3134 E. Camelback Rd.) The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Donations and partnership opportunities are encouraged.