Adopt-A-Day and the importance of Corporate Teamwork

The Adopt-a-Day and Adopt-a-Week Programs enable groups to both contribute to the cost of building a Habitat home and share the experience of participating in a Habitat build.

Working together to build a home for a less fortunate family is a powerful bonding experience for volunteers and an effective team building exercise for corporate and other groups. Spending time together on a Habitat construction site can be a meaningful way to create stronger internal relationships within your organization, as well as to celebrate any organizational milestones.

Did you know that companies that emphasized on leadership development outperformed others by 15 times over the past 60 years? - Cutting Edge Information. There are many organizational benefits that come with participating in a corporate team building program. These benefits include:

·         An increase of morale and improvement of leadership skills

·         Breaking the barrier that blocks creativity

·         Clearly defining goals and objectives

·         Improving processes and procedures

·         Improving organizational productivity

·         Identifying a team's strengths and weaknesses

·         Improving problem solving skills

A study by John Kotter and James Heskett found companies that consistently paid attention to
their leadership culture over time vs. those who did not, achieved:

• Revenue increases of 682% vs. 166%
• Stock price increases of 901% vs. 74%
• Net income increases of 756% vs. 1%
• Job growth of 282% vs. 36%

As adopters, you'll also be part of the affordable housing solution in our neighbourhoods. Homeownership is a sustainable solution to affordable housing that affects both homeowners and the community.


A CMHC study from 2004 showed that 40.6% of Habitat for Humanity families surveyed reported an increase in the school grades of their children; 54.2% noticed an improvement in children's behaviour; 22.9% of parents went back to school; 34.1% of income earners moved on to better jobs; and 36.1% were less reliant on social assistance and community services.

How important is corporate team building to you?
Please contact us to inquire how you can adopt today!

HFHWC still needs you to help finish this home!

Update* The HFHWC Volunteer Appreciation Pancake Breakfast is rapidly approaching and we hope you can make it! Our volunteers are so important to helping us build homes in our communities. Here is a small way to say thanks! RSVP on the event Facebook page or with Annie Devitt.

In today's world, it can be rather hard to find the time to volunteer or to even think about volunteering. Nevertheless, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Wellington County comes with many rewarding benefits for you, your family and your community. By volunteering you have the opportunity to build new relationships, reach out to the community, gain new skills and possibly advance in your career. On top of all that, volunteering can help to preserve your mental and physical health.

The following are some of the many great benefits that should come to mind when considering volunteering with HFHWC.



Volunteering connects you to your community

One of the most rewarding benefits of volunteering is the impact you are making on the community. Volunteering is the glue that keeps the community together. It allows you to help your community grow, while improving it and making it a better place. Not only does volunteering impact your community, but it also can impact you and your family just as much as the cause you are helping.  

Volunteering helps to build new relationships

Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you to increase your social skills, widen your network and help you to gain new friends. By committing to a shared activity, you are opening yourself up to people with similar interests that can help you to practice and increase your social skills.

Volunteering is good for your mind and body

Volunteering can preserve your health and enhance your self-confidence, self-esteem and all together life satisfaction. You are giving you time to others and your community, which can give you a strong sense of accomplishment. Taking on the role of a volunteer comes with a sense of importance and identity. Having a positive view about yourself helps to give you a more positive outlook on your life and future goals.  Volunteering has been proven to lessen symptoms of chronic pain and heart disease. It’s an easy way to maintain an active lifestyle and increase your energy level.

Volunteer can Advance your career and help you to gain new skills

Volunteering can give you experience in your area of interest, as well as open doors for a new career by meeting people in the field. Volunteering allows you to learn news skills and practice the important skills needed in the workplace. Learn about teamwork, communication, problem solving, project management, multi-tasking and organization. You will be able to feel more comfortable transferring these skills into your own workplace once you have perfected them in a volunteer position.

Remember volunteering can be an exciting and simple way to discover new interests. Volunteering allows you to step outside of your usual everyday routine and add some extra excitement to your life. Who knows what kind of great hobby HFHWC has in store for you! 

Click here to register as a volunteer for HFHWC. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity Wellington County visit our website

Volunteering w/Habitat builds camaraderie

Habitat is Back in Centre Wellington

YOU’RE INVITED!!

Habitat for Humanity Wellington County is holding a Build Launch event on January 14^th 2012 at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus from 12 to 2. The Centre Wellington Build Committee is holding this launch event in support of the construction of a semi-detached house at 124 Forfar Street in Fergus, which will be built this spring and summer! It will be the first build project in Centre Wellington since 2003.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come on out and find out more about Habitat for Humanity Wellington County. There will be opportunities to:

§  Learn about the Habitat for Humanity organization

§  Be introduced to the project committee and Habitat for Humanity Wellington County staff

§  Apply to volunteer and become a Habitat Partner Family

§  Support fundraising events

§  Buy-A-Brick Fundraising and Donating

§  Adopt-A-Day Corporate Fundraising 

“We are thrilled to be building in Fergus again, for there are a lot of residents of this town that are deserving of the sustainability and structure homeownership can provide them,” said Diane Nelson, Executive Director of HFHWC.

 Currently, there are 2,965 Social Housing Units in Wellington County.  As of December 2007, 1370 applicants were on the waiting list.

§  Average wait times in 2008 for 1 bedroom (through social housing) in Wellington County was 3 to 5 years

§  2 and 3 bedrooms hovering around a 2 year wait time

 Affordable Housing can lead to improved health, education and economic opportunities for families at risk. It also lessens the financial burden on society in the areas of social services, justice and healthcare. 

 “Our government is committed to helping people who live on lower or fixed incomes stay in their home communities,” said MPP Sandals.

• With 1.7 million Canadian families living without adequate housing
• Over half a million Canadians paying more than 50% of their household income on shelter and food
• Just under 5 million Canadians (15.9%) having incomes below the Low-Income Cut-Off

2010 House on Bagot St.

Habitat for Humanity Wellington County is doing their part to help two very deserving families become homeowners.  

“Habitat for Humanity provided me a hand up by giving me the ability to lend my hand out to others,” said Melanie Fegan, Habitat Partner Family of the Elora home. 

In order to make the dream of a home a reality for a Centre Wellington family, we need you! So please visit us at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex from 12 to 2 on January 14, 2012 and find out more about volunteering, becoming a Partner family and sponsoring the build!

Importance of Homeownership in Our Community

  

"We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us" Winston Churchill.

 Homeownership helps shape who we are or want to be, it gives us the freedom for creativity and expression, all while providing safety and security for us and our families. It’s a place to come home to and where friends and family can find you. Homeownership gives individuals a stake in the community, creating ties and building neighbourhoods, which is why finding a home is important to us all.

You can help make homeownership a reality in our community. During this holiday season, think of those that don't have a home to decorate. Give today and give the gift of a home!

According to The National Summit on Affordable Homeownership, a project started by Habitat for Humanity Canada, homeownership, especially affordable homeownership is an important aspect in every community.

Building a Dream Raised to "New Heights"

The 3^rd annual Habitat for Humanity Wellington County Building a Dream Celebration was held on November 3 at the Delta Guelph Hotel & Conference Centre. The largest Habitat Wellington fundraiser was a pivotal event because of the affiliate’s plan to build a record four homes in 2012. At the conclusion of the night the event committee highlighted on a video screen that $42,700 was raised throughout the evening. This was nearly $10,000 more than what last year’s event raised.

“There are many families in this community that need a hand up and because of the support of this event we will have the capacity to help four deserving families next year,” said Habitat Wellington County Executive Director, Diane Nelson.

The attendees were treated to an evening of great food, entertainment and auctions. The sweet mellow sounds of the Adrian Raso Band pleased the crowd. The evening was highlighted by the delightful MC, ‘Tool Girl’ Mag Ruffman. Right before the final tally was displayed Auctioneer Robert Milburn hosted an eventful live auction that was highlighted by duelling bidders on the “Livin’ Large Outdoors” package. 

About Delta Hotels and Resorts
A leading Canadian hotel management company, Delta Hotels and Resorts operates and franchises a diversified portfolio with 46 full-service, city centre and airport hotels and resorts under the Delta brand. Widely regarded as Canada’s “brand of choice” by guests and owners, Delta also distinguishes itself as an exemplary employer. It is the only hotel company to have been recognized for its sustained focus on business excellence by the prestigious National Quality Institute with three Canada Awards for Excellence, including the award program’s highest honour, the Order of Excellence (2007). The company has also consistently ranked as one of the country’s 50 Best Employers for 12 years, and has been named to the Green 30 since 2010. As well, its national sustainability program, Delta Greens is the most comprehensive and ambitious in the industry touching on every aspect of the hotel business. Its Corporate Social Responsibility platform, Delta Helps, includes a chain-wide commitment to the communities it serves through a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada, participation in the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating program, and work with various other charitable groups.

Delta Hotels and Resorts entered a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Canada in 2009 and have since raised over a total of $1.5 million for the national charitable organization.  Employees at the Canadian hotel chain participate in construction volunteering at various builds across the country.  Delta also sponsors an entire home build annually including one in Sault Saint Marie and another retrofit in Ottawa where they’ve recently established new hotels.

“The partnership with Habitat for Humanity is an important part of our ongoing commitment to help build a stronger community,” said Delta Guelph Hotel General Manager, Alan Boivin.

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Habitat for Humanity Wellington County is the local affiliate of an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing throughout the world. Using volunteer labour and donations of funds and building materials, we build simple, decent houses and sell them through no-profit, no-interest mortgages to low-income families in need of adequate shelter. Mortgage payments go into a fund that is used to build more homes.

Luke Hancock
Fundraising & Communications Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity Wellington County
fundraising@Habitatwellington.on.ca
W: 519.767.9752 ext. *28
C: 905.973.9562
@HFHWC
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