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!

HabitAPP - Keep Habitat in your Hand

What better way to stay connected with Habitatfor Humanity Wellington County then by having all the latest information at your finger tips, everywhere you go. This mobile app is currently available on all Blackberry, Android and iPhone touch phones and tablets, and will be available on Windows phones later this year.

This app, developed by Weever Apps out of Hamilton Ontario. This will provide our smartphone and tablet-using supporters to stay connected to and learn more about our organization. This app features:

• Form to donate
• Volunteer opportunities
• Sales and promotions at the local ReStore
• E-newsletter and e-blast sign up form (coming soon)
• Integrated social media accounts (Twitter and Facebook)
• Read our blog

The primary goal of the Habitapp is to provide a platform for our Habitat for Humanity Wellington County supporters, that will allow you to continually feel a part of the Habitat organization.

"Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Habitat for Humanity organization, and we strive to make supporting Habitat as accessible as possible to the community," Said Diane Nelson, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Wellington County. "Mobile apps like Habitapp demonstrate how social media is transforming the not-for-profit sector, and making volunteering or donating more convenient."

HFHWC is advancing their communications and wants you to come along for the ride. This app will bring you a whole new level of simplicity, that you can easily be shared with everyone you know by clicking on the "Share App" feature. 

Become more engaged with Habitat for Humanity Wellington County at the click of a button and KEEP HABITAT IN YOUR HAND.

Raisin' The Roof February 2012 Newsletter

Raisin' the Roof February 2012 contains information about upcoming events: Volunteer Recognition Pancake Breakfast, Movies & Music at Gorge Cinemas and Women Build at the Guelph Storm game.

Also, read about the upcoming HabitAPP mobile app and volunteer opportunities remaining on the 2011 My Neighbour's House project at 28 Huron St.

Read, Enjoy, Share!

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

ReStore-ing Our Environment & Our Communities

Did you know that typically 8,000 lbs of waste is put into a landfill during the construction and remodeling of 2,000 square foot home? Habitat for Humanity ReStores are doing their part to divert waste from the landfill by taking used building materials, furniture and other household items and offering them for resale at a fraction of the price. Restores accept donations of various household items including: 

Landfill

§  Windows and Doors

§  Paint

§  Hardware

§  Lumber

§  Tools

§  Lighting fixtures

§  Appliances

Since 1998 Canadian Habitat for Humanity ReStores have diverted over 113,000 tonnes of waste from landfills and in 2010 alone 21,000 tonnes of waste were diverted. Equally important, is the fact that in 2010, Canadian Restores recycled 2.1 million pounds of metal.

In Guelph, the Master Plan identifies a waste diversion target of 65% by 2016, and with the help of places such as the ReStore, individuals can continue to help to reduce the waste being sent to our landfill by donating items of value that might otherwise be thrown out.

In addition, the Wellington County Restore is now taking e-waste and recycle it in environmentally favourable way, further diverting waste from the landfill. E-waste or electronic waste now makes up 5% of all municipal solid waste worldwide, with 20-50 million tons generated every year. Items are being collected by ReStore to be recycled properly include:

§  Cellphones

§  Computers

§  Laptops

§  Televisions

§  Stereos

§  Printers

§  Fax machines and much more!

Purchasing at the ReStore:

§  Lets you help the environment by diverting thousands of tons of usable materials and goods away from landfills and

§  Allows Habitat for Humanity Wellington County purchase more building materials for the homes we build!

You can  sign up to our e-blasts and learn all about exclusive sales, promotions and everything Habitat Guelph ReStore!

Women Build is Back and Recruiting YOU

We’d rather build it than clean it! That's certainly what the Women Build of 2011 accomplished! From June 2011 to October 2011, over 140 volunteers contributed to the Women Build 2011 Project at 439 York Rd. in Guelph. Combined they contributed a whopping 3000 hours of volunteering and 87% of the house was completed by Women!

Women Build 2011

2012 is here and the Women Build is back. We are kicking off the year in style!

January 13th and February 24th, Women Build is inviting you to join them at the Sleeman Centre to help cheer on the Guelph Storm. Tickets for the event can be purchased on the HFHWC website for $15. There will be a 50/50 draw to help support Woomen Build, so wear your PINK and come out and rally your Guelph Storm!

Also, as Women Build will be hosting a Wine & Cheese Recruitment evening at Cutten Fields (190 College Ave. E) on January 19th from 7-9. Women Build Committee members are welcoming individuals interested in joining a Women Build committee out to enjoy some wine and cheese and hear about the wonderful experiences of the 2011 project. If you've thought about joining the powerful movement that's sweeping the city, now is the perfect chance!

Typically women only represent 1/3 of the volunteers on Habitat for Humanity build sites, so the Women Build aims to  promotes women as leaders and provides an opportunity for women to learn new trades or skills, under the direction of both men and women skilled tradespersons. Women Build is not about excluding men, but including more women in the building process.

“It’s about spirit, empowerment, solidarity, fun, learning and pride in working with a family to build a place they can call home.”

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!