Photo courtesy of: Habitat for Humanity
For many people, Habitat for Humanity is best known for building affordable homes.
But next week’s ‘Habitat in Action Week’ is designed to show the community that’s only part of the story.
Running July 13 to 18, the inaugural event invites residents to volunteer, learn new skills and discover how Habitat is expanding its impact through critical home repairs, community partnerships and housing advocacy, alongside the homebuilding projects it has long been known for.
Habitat for Humanity Northumberland CEO Cathy Borowec says the week is an opportunity to highlight the many ways Habitat helps strengthen communities.
“Habitat in Action Week is to showcase all of the things that Habitat does….promoting the ReStore…fostering community partnerships, and engaging our community in a lot of what we do.”
One of the week’s highlights is Building Stronger Communities – A Community Conversation, taking place Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. inside Habitat’s Cobourg ReStore. The free event will feature Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Senior Director of Programs, Stacey Sawchuk, and explore how safe, affordable housing depends on a strong continuum of support-from critical home repairs to pathways into home ownership.
That expanding role is already taking shape locally.
Borowec says Habitat has significantly increased its critical home repair program, helping homeowners complete repairs that keep them safely housed while also offering market-rate repair services for smaller jobs that can often be difficult to find contractors for.
“We are doing the necessary critical home repairs to keep people housed safely in their homes and we’re also offering market repairs because sometimes it’s hard to get a contractor to answer… so call Habitat.”
Throughout the week, corporate volunteer teams will build sheds and other projects supporting Habitat’s work, while families can take part in birdhouse workshops, women can learn DIY skills building pallet plant stands, and shoppers can enjoy an exclusive after-hours ReStore event celebrating creativity, sustainability and furniture refinishing.
For Borowec, however, the week’s most important message is that solving housing challenges requires organizations working together.
“We need the whole continuum to be healthy and we need to serve our community in a way that works locally … we can certainly work with other organizations to try to help that happen.”
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
