Halifax student’s heartwarming story about home is a runner-up in national writing contest
Dartmouth, NS – Today, Habitat for Humanity Canada is announcing the winners in Meaning of Home, a national writing contest where children from across Canada share heartwarming poems and stories about what home means to them.
Grade 5 student Sofia S. wins a $10,000 grant for Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia for her entry “Home Sweet Home.”
Across Canada, three deserving grand prize winners and nine runners-up have been chosen from 15,000 entries submitted by grade 4, 5 and 6 students. All the submissions are poignant reminders of the comfort and joy that a safe home creates for a child.
Everyone who entered earns a $10 donation to their local Habitat for Humanity with their submission. In addition, three grand prize winners receive a $30,000 grant for their local Habitat. Runners-up win a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat.
This year saw a record-breaking 1,651 entries from grade 4, 5 and 6 students in Nova Scotia. Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia received the second-highest number of supporting entries nationwide, amounting to $26,510.
“We are so impressed by Sofia’s heartfelt submission, which celebrates the magic of home in a beautifully expressive way,” says Donna Williamson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia. “This submission captures the essence of what we strive to help families in Nova Scotia achieve – owning a home where they can find comfort, connection and a sense of belonging. We are proud to have such talented and compassionate individuals like Sofia supporting our cause.”
“Too many Canadians don’t have access to a safe and affordable home — a universal need,” says Julia Deans, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “Through their thoughtful descriptions of the comfort and safety of a home, along with the laughter and love it contains, these students are showing us the meaning of home through a child’s eyes. Congratulations to all the winners for their beautiful submissions.”
“Since the Meaning of Home contest began in 2007, over 120,000 students have shared what home means to them. With the support of Sagen as founding sponsor, these students have raised $2.7 million to help more families in need of homes build stronger lives through housing,” says Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen. “It’s our privilege to support students in becoming caring citizens, and in providing safe and affordable homes for families.”
Through their entries, students have raised $327,000 this year for local Habitat for Humanity organizations, bringing the total raised through the Meaning of Home contest to $2.7 million since its inception in 2007.
The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of Founding Sponsor SagenTM and Award Sponsor Urban Systems Foundation.
To read all the winning entries, please visit meaningofhome.ca/page/winners2024.
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About Sagen™
As a sponsor since 2000, Sagen has donated over $6.9 million in support of Habitat Canada and has helped thousands of Canadian families realize their dreams of affordable homeownership. While Sagen’s financial support provides crucial funding for their homeownership program, its support of Habitat Canada extends far beyond financial support. Throughout the sponsorship, Sagen employees from all levels of the organization, including President and CEO Stuart Levings and his executive team, have lent their leadership experience, industry knowledge, and time to help launch many of Habitats’ signature programs, including the Sagen homebuilding grants, Global Village volunteer program in Canada, and the Meaning of Home contest. These programs, along with Sagen’s support and involvement, have significantly increased Habitat’s ability to raise funds, recruit volunteers and ultimately, support more families and build stronger communities. Find out more at www.sagen.ca.
About Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia
Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia is a registered non-profit organization that brings communities together to help families in Nova Scotia build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia has partnered with over 75 families in Nova Scotia since being founded in 1992.
Habitat’s model of affordable homeownership bridges a gap for people who face barriers to homeownership and would otherwise not have an opportunity to buy a home. Partner families benefit from a hands-on partnership with Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, giving them a foundation for success as homeowners. Partner families volunteer 500 hours and pay an affordable, no-down-payment mortgage – geared to their income – to buy their home at fair market value. All Habitat homeowners go through an application process to determine their level of housing need, ability to repay Habitat’s affordable mortgage and willingness to partner with Habitat. As part of the global Habitat for Humanity network, Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia is one of 46 affiliates in Canada and part of hundreds of affiliates across more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit habitatns.ca.
About Habitat for Humanity Canada
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national charitable organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 46 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global non-profit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.
For more information:
Caleb Freeman
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia
E: caleb@habitatns.ca
C: 902-225-6315