HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Safe, decent housing is fundamental to childhood learning and development. But even in a prosperous society such as Canada’s, even in Wellington and Dufferin counties and in Guelph, too many families don’t have access to secure, affordable housing.
This fall, Genworth Canada is offering children in Grades 4 to 6 the opportunity to help low-income families access affordable housing by sponsoring the Meaning of Home – an essay, poetry and video contest.
“The more entries that are submitted from this area, the more support we’ll receive from Genworth for affordable housing,” says Steve Howard, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph. “Funds raised locally through the contest will be earmarked for our most ambitious project to-date – the 30-unit Cityview Village development.”
If the contest winner or a runner-up designates the local Habitat for Humanity organization when awarding the prize money, affordable housing could receive a $5,000 to $50,000 boost.
Additionally, for every eligible entry submitted from this area, Habitat for Humanity WDG will receive a $10 grant from Genworth Canada. Prizes are also provided to the winner and runners-up.
An education module supplied to local schools can help teachers make the contest a classroom learning experience, but entries don’t have to come from schools. They can be sent from homeschooled children, children in before- and after-school programs, and children in church and other community groups.
Since 2007, Genworth Canada has provided $900,000 to Habitat for Humanity Canada affiliates through the Meaning of Home contest. This year, the contest runs from Oct. 3 to Nov. 30.
Since 2000, Habitat for Humanity WDG has worked with volunteers and community partners to facilitate home ownership for 24 families in the area. It provides no-interest mortgages to qualifying low-income families who have invested sweat equity in their future homes.
For information about the Meaning of Home contest, visit http://habitatwdg.ca/events/meaning-of-home/.