National student writing contest now open asking “what does home mean to you?”

London, ON – JANUARY 4th, 2022 – Students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 are asked to share what home means to them in a national writing contest that is now open and accepting entries. Three grand prize winners will each receive a $30,000 grant to help Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario build a place to call home for a family in need of affordable housing. Every local student who enters the Meaning of Home contest earns a $10 donation towards Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario. In addition to the grand prize winners, nine runners up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat build.

Founded by Sagen™ in 2007, the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $1.7 million to help build decent and affordable housing in communities across Canada. Over 80,000 students have shared the importance of home in poems and short essays. Last year a record-breaking 12,000 entries were received.

“The Meaning of Home contest provides youth an opportunity to learn about the importance of affordable housing by asking them to reflect on what home means to them,” says Brian Elliot, CEO Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario. “Instilling the importance of access to safe and decent housing early on will prepare them to be future advocates on this most critical issue.” 

“This contest is a valuable learning tool for students to reflect on what home means to them and their family,” says Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen. “As a founding sponsor of this contest, we are proud that the Meaning of Home contest has encouraged over 80,000 students to become more active and compassionate citizens.” Submissions are being accepted by mail or online at meaningofhome.ca until February 18, 2022. Winners will be announced by June.

The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of Founding Sponsor Sagen and Awards Sponsors Chapman’s Ice Cream, Urban Systems Foundation, and Home Trust.

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About Sagen™

As a sponsor since 2000, Sagen has donated over $5 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, has 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 Heartland Ontario 

Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario was established in 1993 as Habitat for Humanity London and expanded to Oxford Middlesex and Elgin counties in 2012, then into Stratford-Perth in 2014 and finally into Brant-Norfolk in 2021. We are a non-profit, non-denominational housing organization. We welcome partners without discrimination to help us build simple, decent, affordable homes for low-income families. 100% of the revenue from our nine ReStores supports the administrative costs of Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario. With the help of volunteers, donors, and community partners, we have built a total of 113 homes in the region creating strength stability and independence for the people we serve. For more information, please visit www.habitat4home.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national charitable organization working towards a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat Canada brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 50 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.


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Contact:
Emily Rust
Social Media and Marketing Associate
Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario
(519) 455-6623 ext. 228