National Volunteer Week 2020
At Habitat Greater Ottawa, volunteers are at the heart of what we do. Without our volunteers’ passion and dedication to our mission we would not be able to help local families access safe, secure and affordable housing. Even though our volunteer activities are currently suspended due to COVID-19, we still want to give our volunteers the recognition they deserve. For National Volunteer Week, we invite you to get to know several of our amazing Habitat Greater Ottawa volunteers!
In 2019, nearly 1300 people volunteered for Habitat at our Build, ReStores and community events contributing an amazing 26,647 volunteer hours!
We’re so honoured to play our part in building quality, affordable homes for local families. Our favourite moment of the whole build is the Key Ceremony. It is so touching and memorable to see the families receive the keys to their new homes. We’ve been a part of several key ceremonies throughout the years, and it never gets old!
Read more about Linda and Jacques.
This (Global Village) trip was an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and to really see what I was capable of. Not only did I learn some hands-on construction skills. I also grew as a person and developed my communication, leadership and collaboration skills. Several of my team members went on multiple GV trips, and I can see why! It’s such a rewarding experience, you definitely get hooked. I will never forget my time at Habitat and how good it felt to be making a difference for families who need a safe and affordable home.
Read more about Brynn.
I’m proud to play my part in an organization that has such a positive impact in the community. I enjoy being part of such a close-knit community of volunteers who give their time to this worthwhile cause. Volunteering with Habitat is also helping me personally. I am new to the country, so having interactions with the volunteers and staff is helping me to learn my technical English.
Read more about Felipe.
The best part of volunteering with Habitat Greater Ottawa is bringing together a group of like-minded women to raise funds and support for Habitat families. To work as a team on the build site and to see what we collectively accomplished at the end of the day is very gratifying. Seeing the final outcome of the homes and the families receiving the keys and officially becoming homeowners is very emotional. It’s rewarding to know that in some small way, we made a difference.
Read more about Cheryl.
Debbie (left) with Habitat Greater Ottawa homeowner, Claire.
What I love most about volunteering with Habitat is getting to know the families. You become emotionally invested with them throughout the homeownership process. When you’re at the Key Ceremony, there is not a dry eye in the house! In three years, I’ve had three of my families receive their keys, and each time it’s a memorable event. As a Family Partner, you feel the excitement for them because you really are on the ride along with them.
Read more about Debbie.
