January 6th, 2025
For Immediate Release
Hamilton, Ontario – It’s that time of year again! Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 are invited to answer the question “What does home mean to you?” in our annual Meaning of Home writing contest. Until February 21, 2025, every student who enters a poem or essay will help Habitat for Humanity Hamilton build safe and affordable homes. This year, our goal is to receive 875 submissions, contributing to 17,000 student submissions across Canada!
Access to safe and affordable housing continues to be a top priority for all Canadians, including children, who understand how it can provide their family with a place to pursue their dreams and build a better life. Our model of affordable homeownership helps families in need of housing to buy their own home through an affordable mortgage geared to income — helping them build a strong foundation and the financial stability to plan for their children’s futures.
“Last year, we were overwhelmed by the incredible support from Hamilton students, raising $34,370 for Habitat Hamilton, including a $30,000 grant from a Grade 5 student’s winning entry,” said Sean Ferris, CEO of Habitat Hamilton.” The Meaning of Home contest is such a unique opportunity for youth to make a real impact—every entry earns a $10 donation to Habitat Hamilton without any cost to the students. This year, we have an ambitious goal to double our entries, and we’re excited to see the community come together to make it happen.”
“Every child deserves a safe place to call home,” says Pedro Barata, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “We know the positive impact housing has on children which is what we often see reflected in the contest entries. It’s why this contest is so meaningful and why we continue building and advocating for more affordable housing for all families.”
Founded in 2007 by SagenTM 1, the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $2.7 million while encouraging thousands of students to become more active and compassionate citizens. Last year, close to 15,000 entries raised $327,000, helping families across Canada build a brighter future through affordable homeownership.
“We are very proud of this initiative as it continues to increase awareness about the need for affordable homeownership in Canada,” said Stuart Levings, President and CEO, SagenTM. “It is rewarding to see our youth take great pride in their homes and families with words of hopes and dreams as they become more engaged in the well-being of their communities.”
Every local student who enters the contest will help Habitat for Humanity Hamilton build safe and affordable homes by earning a $10 donation to us in their name. Across Canada, three grand prize winners will also receive a $30,000 grant to help their local Habitat for Humanity build homes for families in need of affordable housing. In addition, nine runners-up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity.
Last year, funds raised through the Meaning of Home contest supported Habitat Hamilton’s Sherman Avenue Build, providing safe and affordable housing for five local families. This year, funds raised will go toward Habitat Hamilton’s Dawson Avenue Build, one of Habitat Hamilton’s most ambitious projects yet, which will create homes for 10 families. Each student entry will directly contribute to this vital project, helping us build brighter futures for families in our community.
Teachers or parents who are interested in having their grade 4, 5, or 6 students participate can access an educational module at meaningofhome.ca that includes writing tips and information on affordable housing issues in Canada. Entries can be submitted via mail or online. Winners will be announced by June 2025.
The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of founding sponsor SagenTM along with awards sponsors Urban Systems Foundation and Face to Face Games.
About founding sponsor: Sagen™
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 Habitat Canada’s homeownership program, its support extends far beyond. Throughout the sponsorship, Sagen employees, including President and CEO Stuart Levings and his executive team, have lent their leadership experience, industry knowledge and time to help launch many of Habitat’s signature programs, including the Sagen Homebuilding Grants, the Global Village Volunteer Program in Canada and the Meaning of Home Contest. These programs, along with Sagen’s support and involvement in them, have significantly increased Habitat Canada’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 Hamilton
Founded in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Hamilton is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to building affordable housing and promoting homeownership in Hamilton, Haldimand County, and the territories of the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Through our Home Build Program, we provide interest-free, geared-to-income mortgages, empowering families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
With the support of thousands of volunteers, corporate partners, and community members, Habitat Hamilton has housed 50 families to date and is one of Habitat Canada’s fastest-growing affiliates. To learn more, visit habitathamilton.ca.
For more information:
Randi Dale
Marketing & Development Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity Hamilton
905-560-6707 Ext 113
randi@habitathamilton.ca
1 Sagen™ is a trademark owned by Sagen MI Canada Inc.