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Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario Brant-Norfolk Chapter was selected as the successful recipient of $16,800 at the May 2021 meeting.  Although COVID has changed how we meet, it has not diminished our ability to step forward and give back to our Norfolk Community.

Habitat for Humanity mobilizes volunteers and communities to help working, lower income families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.  Potential homebuyers must meet requirements within a minimum and maximum income range and be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity to build and purchase their home through an affordable mortgage.

COVID-19 has caused significant lost revenue at the ReStore (Habitat’s main source of income).  Couple that with construction delays, product delays from suppliers, double digit price increases and reluctance of volunteers and trades people able to work during the pandemic, project completion has been slow and more costly.

This donation will be used to complete the exterior of the current project on Brook Street in Simcoe.  The homeowners received the keys for their home on April 29th after contributing more than 800 hours to it’s completion.  Once this home is 100% complete, Habitat will move on to their next Norfolk project.

Lynda Henriksen, Director of Fund Development and Communications commented, “While the donations & money enables the homes to be built, the process represents so much more.  The volunteers and the families take great pride in knowing they are contributing to home security and stability for one family plus many generations to come.”  Henriksen continues, “These homes are not gifted to the new owners.  The new owners volunteer hundreds of hours to the homes completion, pay a mortgage on the home and are responsible for their homes maintenance and upkeep, just like everyone else.”

COVID-19 has caused significant lost revenue at the ReStore (Habitat’s major source of income).  Couple that with construction delays, product shortages, double digit price increases and the ability of volunteers and trades people to work during the pandemic, their projects are slower to be completed and more costly.

 

Although COVID has changed how this group meets on a quarterly basis, it has not diminished the ability of these ladies to step forward and give back to our Norfolk Community.

In February 2021, 100 Women held their meeting via “email” and selected the Haldimand-Norfolk Women’s Services as the recipient of $16,400.  This money will be used to finish the renovations on a 1960’s, 800 sq foot home which HNWS purchased in 2019.  The home sits adjacent to the HNWS Simcoe property.  HNWS partnered with Habitat for Humanity, who completed the majority of the renovations in exchange for a building lot at the rear of HNWS property.

Ultimately, the home will be rented to a high-risk woman and her children who are survivors of abuse.   Due to COVID, we have temporarily repurposed the home as a 14-day isolation space prior to the family being admitted to the shelter.

Specifically, these funds will be used to update the front and back porches, purchase & install security cameras and grade the entire property to an acceptable standard.  Selfless volunteers from HNWS and Habitat for Humanity (who partnered with HNWS) have already replaced kitchen cabinets, the furnace, water heater, the roof, soffits and windows.  This final leg of renovations will bring the home up to code and ensure it is safe, comfortable and secure for those families fleeing abuse.  

HNWS provides 24-hour crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, support and residential services to assist women aged 16 and older, with or without children, who need access to a place of safety from abuse.  HNWS has helped more than 1300 women and children and during COVID, the need remains extremely high.    While professionals are instrumental in the delivery of these services, volunteers contribute thousands of hours to ensure programs and services are available to all who need it.  For more information on HNWS, go to their website at www.hnws/on.ca.

Since 2014, 100 Women Who Care Norfolk has raised more than $400,000 for 27 charities.  If you are interested in becoming a member, visit our web site at www.100womenwhocarenorfolk.ca.