A Scrumptous Solution to Affordable Housing

On Tuesday, March 6th, HFHWC will be teaming up with The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro to put the power of affordable housing in your hands. How so? All you need to do is order one of The Works SEVENTY selections of succulent burgers and non-upgradeable side. You'll receive that burger and side for free and instead you'll be asked to make a donation to HFHWC. Here is more info... Straight from the horses mouth

The WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro- the award-winning gourmet burger bistro, originating in Ottawa in 2001 – is celebrating its 10 year anniversary on March 6th by offering free gourmet burgers to guests of all locations, between 11am-2pm for lunch or 5pm-8pm for dinner. In true WORKS fashion, each neighborhood bistro has selected a local charity in their community and will be collecting monetary donations while serving up complimentary gourmet burgers. Every restaurant will offer a full menu selection, allowing guests to indulge in one of its 70 renowned gourmet burger options. Customers may visit any one of the 10 WORKS locations on March 6th (March 20th for the London location) to indulge in a complimentary gourmet burger while supporting the local community. The popular gourmet burger bistro currently has new locations under construction in Toronto, Waterloo and Peterborough with an additional eight planned for 2012 and recently announced plans to open 50 new stores across Canada.

 

Habitat for Humanity Toronto ReStore Promo Video

If you don't know what you're getting into, when you shop at the ReStore, here's a sneak peak into the ReStore world. Specifically, this is one of the ReStores in Toronto. Great video!

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!