The 'Meaning of Home' contest logo, with the logos of Habitat for Humanity Canada, Sagen, and Habitat for Humanity Hamilton displayed above it.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Last year, Habitat Hamilton saw an incredible response to the Meaning of Home Contest with 437 submissions from local students. This year, we’re aiming even higher with a goal to double that number to 874 entries! The contest is now open, and we’re excited to see the creative entries from Hamilton students. Your participation not only sparks creativity but also helps support affordable housing in our community.

Help Us Reach Our Goal!
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Bold white text with an orange outline reading 'What does home mean to you?' set against a background of scattered polka dots.

Prizes

Text reading 'All Entries' with '$10 donation to Habitat Hamilton' underneath. Below the text is a cartoon image of a yellow house with an orange heart on it, surrounded by colourful confetti.

$10 per entry from Hamilton will be generously donated to Habitat Hamilton by the contest’s founding sponsor, Sagen. This means your participation helps more families in our community access safe, decent, and affordable homes.

Text reading 'Grand Prize' with 'One grand prize per grade will be awarded' underneath. Below the text is a cartoon trophy, surrounded by colorful confetti.

Each grand prize winner will receive a $30,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity. Grand prize winners will also receive an iPad and a pizza party for their class.

Text reading 'Runner Up' with 'Three runner up prizes per grade will be awarded' underneath. Below the text is a cartoon ribbon, surrounded by colorful confetti.

Three runners-up per grade will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity Runner-up winners will also receive an electronic tablet and pizza party for their class.

2024 Contest Winners

Last year, Katy K from Hamilton captured the true meaning of home with her heartfelt entry titled “What Does Home Mean to Me?” In her story, Katy shared how her family found hope and a fresh start in a new country, transforming a simple set of walls into a sanctuary of love, warmth, and opportunity. Her words beautifully conveyed how a home can be more than just a place to sleep; it’s a space where memories are made, traditions are cherished, and the future is painted with endless possibilities.

As the grand prize winner, Katy not only secured a $30,000 grant for Habitat Hamilton to help build more affordable housing but also won an iPad and a pizza party for her class. In June 2024, we celebrated Katy’s incredible achievement with her entire school, recognizing her and the 436 other participants who made a real impact in supporting families in Hamilton.

Want to see more inspiring stories? Check out the other 2024 winners and their entries to discover what home means to students across the country.

How It Works

The Meaning of Home contest invites students in grades 4, 5, and 6 to share what “home” means to them in a 50-300 word entry. Each entry helps raise funds for Habitat Hamilton, with $10 donated by Sagen, the contest sponsor. Students also have a chance to win amazing prizes and make a difference in their community.

Parents

Parents play a crucial role in helping their children participate in the Meaning of Home contest. You can guide your child through the submission process and encourage them to share their unique perspective on what home means to them.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to inspire your child’s creativity and expression while exploring the theme of home. Supporting them in crafting their essays not only helps them articulate their thoughts but also fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of home in their lives.

Students

Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are invited to participate in the Meaning of Home contest by submitting their entries through the contest website.

This is an exciting chance for you to share your unique perspective on what home means to you. Whether it’s your favorite memories, the people you love, or the feelings of safety and belonging, your essay can make a difference. Don’t miss this chance to express yourself and win amazing prizes!

Teachers

Teachers interested in submitting entries for an entire classroom can create a teacher account on the Meaning of Home website. This account will enable you to submit entries in bulk and manage the process with ease.

If you have questions about the submission process, please reach out to Randi at randi@habitathamilton.ca.

A list of important dates for the contest, featuring icons. 1. Lime green pencil icon: 'Teacher sign-up starts September 2024.' 2. Blue open sign icon: 'Habitat Hamilton opens early entries October 5, 2024.' 3. Orange closed sign icon: 'Habitat Hamilton closes early entries January 5.' 4. Blue open sign icon: 'National contest opens January 6, 2025.' 5. Orange closed sign icon: 'National contest closes February 21, 2025.' 6. Lime green glasses: 'Judging period February 24 - May 2.' 7. Yellow trophy: 'Winners announced May 2025.

Inspiration & Idea Starters

Get your creative juices flowing with these fun activities designed to spark your imagination! Whether you’re brainstorming ideas for your entry or exploring what home means to you, these prompts and exercises will help you express your thoughts in unique ways. Dive in, let your creativity shine, and discover new perspectives on the meaning of home!

Submit Your Entry

Ready to share what home means to you? Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 can now submit their essays or poems through the official Meaning of Home contest website.

Submitting is easy! Simply visit the contest website, fill out the submission form, and upload your entry. Be sure to double-check your work before submitting—it’s your chance to inspire others with your unique perspective on home.

Your participation not only celebrates the importance of home but also helps support affordable housing initiatives in Hamilton. Don’t wait—submit your entry today!

Help Spread the Word

We are excited to support parents, teachers, and students in sharing information about the Meaning of Home Contest! To make it easier for you to spread the word, we have provided a selection of social media images and captions that you can use on your platforms.

Feel free to use these assets, but we’d love to see your creativity shine! If you’re inspired, go ahead and share your own unique content while working with your children or students on their entries. Personal stories and perspectives make a powerful impact, and we can’t wait to see how you express the theme of home!

When posting about the contest, please remember to use the hashtag #MeaningOfHome and tag us at @HabitatHamilton. We’ll be excited to reshare your posts on our story, helping to spread the word even further! Together, we can amplify our message and inspire even more participants to enter.

Thank you for your support in making a difference in our community!

A photo of the front entryway of a home with the 'Meaning of Home' logo and the three contest supporters in the top left corner. The text reads 'My home is...' and 'More than a place.

Home is more than just a place—it’s a feeling. Hamilton students in grades 4, 5, and 6 can make a real impact by entering the #MeaningOfHome contest. For every entry, Sagen will donate $10 to @HabitatHamilton to support local affordable housing—at no cost to you! Share your story and help build homes for families in need. The contest is now open for Hamilton students at www.meaningofhome.ca. Together, we can build homes and hope!

An adult helping a student complete an entry for the contest. The logos of the contest supporters are in the top right corner in white. The text reads 'Helping families, one story at a time.

Proud parent moment! My child has entered the #MeaningOfHome contest with @HabitatHamilton. For every entry from Hamilton students in grades 4, 5, and 6, Sagen will donate $10 to Habitat Hamilton to help build safe, affordable homes for families in our community—at no cost to you! Please encourage your child to share what home means to them and make a difference today! The contest is open for Hamilton students at www.meaningofhome.ca. Let’s build a better future, one story at a time! 🏡

A photo of a classroom full of students working on their contest entries. The logo is in the top right corner in black. The text reads 'My class is making a difference in Hamilton!

My class is making a difference in Hamilton, and it’s FREE! If you teach students in grades 4, 5, or 6, this is their chance to enter the #MeaningOfHome contest and help families in need. For every Hamilton entry, Sagen will donate $10 to @HabitatHamilton to support affordable housing in our community. The contest is now available for Hamilton students at www.meaningofhome.ca. Let’s inspire our students to make an impact with their stories! 📚✏️

If you experience any difficulty, have questions, or need assistance regarding the Meaning of Home contest, please reach out to Randi at randi@habitathamilton.ca or 905-560-6707 Ext 113. We’re here to help!

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