The homes volunteers built

Saint John Times Globe - Special Advertising Feature
April 22, 2001

by Trudy Kelly-Forsythe

Since its inception in 1998, Habitat for Humanity, Saint John Region Inc. has learned the value of volunteers. Each year, hundreds of Saint John area residents jump on board to help the organization build a home for a local family in need. Without them, the three houses which have already been built, and the fourth which will be built this summer, would never come into existence.

"Volunteers take part at numerous levels, from sitting on boards and committees to coming to the construction site to help build the home," says Debbie Rice, president of Habitat for Humanity, Saint John. "I cannot stress enough how much we appreciate each and every volunteer no matter how little or how much they do."

As National Volunteer Week kicks off to celebrate the spirit and energy of youth volunteers, Habitat for Humanity, Saint John, agrees completely with Volunteer Canada about the value of youth volunteers.

"Youth volunteers bring boundless energy, fresh perspective and vitality to voluntary organizations across the country," says Paddy Bowen, executive director of Volunteer Canada.

"When young people volunteer, they give their time, energy, skills and feelings. They give to their families and friends, to their neighbours, and to their community."

This year, Cheryl Green and her two daughters, Keesha, 12, and Tiffany, 10, will work side by side with Habitat for Humanity, Saint John volunteers to build their new home in West Saint John. Ms. Green was recently selected after she met the three criteria for choosing a Habitat family, namely the need for adequate shelter, the family's ability to buy a house, and the family's ability to participate in the Habitat for Humanity program.

"Having my own house is something I've wanted since I was a young girl," says Ms. Green. "This is a dream come true."

Habitat for Humanity, Saint John is an independent, non-profit, Christian housing program dedicated to providing homes for Saint John area families in need. Its goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in the Greater Saint John area.