Students in Grades 4 to 6 across Canada are being asked to explore what “home” means to them through essays or poems as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Meaning of Home contest.
Rosa Mordasiewicz, Habitat’s community engagement manager, says the contest encourages students to reflect on home while making a positive impact in their communities.
“It’s a chance for students to give back while learning and thinking creatively,” Mordasiewicz said.
Entries can be submitted online, by mail, or by e-mail between January 5 and February 20, with each entry generating a $10 donation to the local Habitat for Humanity.
Grand-prize winners will receive a $30,000 grant for a community build, plus an iPad and a pizza party for their class. Each grade will also have three runners-up, who will receive a $10,000 grant, an iPad, and a pizza party.
Teachers can use Habitat’s online education module for lesson plans and activities to guide students through the creative writing process. Mordasiewicz notes the contest is not just about writing—it’s about encouraging students to think critically about a topic that affects their daily lives.
The contest is open to entries in English or French, between 50 and 300 words. Students, parents, and teachers are all encouraged to participate and help turn words into real community impact.
