Right in time for Mother’s Day, two single moms will be getting a “hand-up” with the dedication of their own two new homes, through Habitat for Humanity’s Wells Fargo Women Build Program.

They call it a “hand-up, said Habitat spokesperson Ginny Cooper, not a “hand out.”

“It is a hand-up because homeowners have to invest sweat equity in the homes, pay $1,200 in closing costs, attend a series of classes, and above all, qualify for the program.”

Qualifications are listed on their website, she said, and include having a steady job, so they know the recipients will be good neighbors.

The two lucky Cape mothers are Immacula Zamor and Megan Creque.

Zamor was so excited about the new house, she said, “I even forgot about Mother’s Day.”

“The house is wonderful,” she said. “It’s in a nice, quiet neighborhood. I love quiet places.”

She was a school teacher in Haiti who emigrated to the U.S. in 2000 to “give my children a chance.”

She’s lived in the Cape since 2007, but not in her own home.

“I love Cape Coral,” she said. “I’m in a wonderful church and enjoy my family and my church family. I also have a wonderful boss and wonderful friends, like family.”

She works in an assisted living facility, because she loves helping people.

“I want to make a difference, and make all my residents feel good about themselves. We laugh together.”

The other recipient is Megan Creque, a single mother with a 4-year-old daughter. One of the volunteers at Creque’s home this week was state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers.

The official dedication of both homes is today, Saturday, May 12.

In the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day, female volunteers across the nation, including those in Cape Coral, pounded nails, painted and raised walls at Habitat for Humanity construction sites in all 50 states in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 5 to 13.

Wells Fargo is the title sponsor, along with Lowe’s, which underwrites the Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program.

Lowe’s Women Build Clinics also offered Habitat volunteers basic construction skills needed to build Habitat homes.

“We had phenomenal success with Women Build last year, raising the $50,000 sponsorship fee in just one month and completing the work in one week to provide a home for a single mom the day before Mother’s Day,” said Habitat CEO and President Kitty Green in a prepared statement.

“This year more than 230 individuals and companies have contributed to the fund-raising efforts for two homes. However, we were still $15,000 short of our $100,000 goal when Wells Fargo stepped in and agreed to close the gap and become our title sponsor for Women Build 2012.”

“Wells Fargo is committed to helping create affordable housing and revitalized neighborhoods in cities like Cape Coral that have felt the effects of financial difficulties in a challenging economy,” said Wells Fargo Community Affairs Officer Debra Faulk.

She got in one of the houses and did a lot of painting, along with other company members.

“Funding is very important, but what was more important was our team painting and scraping and doing the work. It wasn’t just a one day of volunteerism; individual team members were able to identify and commit to ways they can support Habitat in the future. Volunteers are critical and we will be back.”

Green thanked many for their support, including sponsors, fund raisers, donors and the city of Cape Coral.

“We have two homeowner candidates who have completed their requirements and they happen to each be single mothers. We hope this will be a very important Mother’s Day for them.”

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than two million people.

Locally, it is headquartered in North Fort Myers.

For more information, visit Habitat.org .