NEWARK– MetLife teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Newark today to build a home for a hard-working, low-income family in Newark's West Ward.

Nearly 30 employees of the insurance company, including "Snoopy", MetLife's company mascot, volunteered at the MetLife Build Day. The company also donated $6,000 to Habitat Newark to supplement the efforts of the volunteers.

The crew worked on the Women Build III House, part of Habitat Newark's Women Build program. Most of the MetLife volunteers were women representing MetLife NJ's Women of Wealth Financial Group (WOW).

"We are very excited about participating in the Habitat for Humanity build," said Bellaria Jaramillo, CFP, Co-Managing Director of the Wealth Financial Group, an office of MetLife. "Educating the community in financial literacy and building equity from the ground up by constructing a home is a perfect extension of the work we do."

Formed in 2009, WOW is an internal networking group for all women employed by Wealth Financial Group, an office of MetLife.

WOW's mission is to encourage the professional development, education and business practices of the women of Wealth Financial Group through internal and external association and marketing opportunities, networking, building strategic relationships and participating in community activities and events.

"We're extremely grateful to the Women of Wealth volunteers for their hard work on the Women Build house," said Lynne Blaesser, co-chairperson of the Women Build program. "And I'd like to thank MetLife for the donation, which will be put to good use."

Habitat Newark's Women Build program helps women learn building skills in an atmosphere where they feel comfortable even if they don't have construction experience. Beginners are welcome to develop abilities that may be useful in their own homes and to join with other women to create affordable housing for hard-working, low income families. Seventy percent of Habitat Newark families consist of single women and their children.

For more information about Habitat Newark, call 973-624-3330 or visit www.habitatnewark.org.