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MAY 2013
25 years of building homes and hope  
As Habitat for Humanity Toronto's newly-appointed CEO, I am honoured to join you and hundreds of partner families, volunteers, donors, and community partners who continue their commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty for hardworking, low-income families.

I came to Habitat for Humanity Toronto because I believe in this organization, its mission and its powerful common sense economic model. As the new CEO, I am privileged to have a strong and experienced board and staff team who, together with the greater Habitat community have achieved significant growth and innovation over the organization's 25 year history. 
 
 As part of our anniversary celebrations, I am thrilled to share this video from Canada's Governor General, The Right Honourable David Johnston congratulating Habitat Toronto on reaching this great milestone. Though we have much to celebrate, His Honour reminds us that we have more to build. 
 
I look forward to working with you in the weeks, months and years ahead to build on our 25-year foundation and do more for hardworking families that dream of something so many of us take for granted - a safe, decent, affordable home of their own.

Ene shot Oyee!
("We can do it!")

Ene Underwood
CEO, Habitat for Humanity Toronto
 
The Mahmood family

Eight-year-old Umar dreams of being an architect when
he's older. He dreams of building a new home, one that has room for his brother, Rohail, who is in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy. 
He wishes he could build a better home for his family away from the worry of living in an unsafe neighborhood with leaky pipes and windows in a cramped space.

 

His parents, Ansar and Kaneez, share that dream, but for years most of their salaries went towards rent. They had little opportunity to relocate, and their prospects looked bleak as a result. But, there is always hope.

 

For the Mahmoods, becoming a part of the Habitat family and joining the 697 Danforth Road community has reaffirmed their belief in the kindness of strangers, and has shown them that with a little bit of faith and some hard work, anything is possible.  

Habitat Build Update

697 Danforth Road:

Construction at 697 Danforth Road (formerly New Crescent) will be resuming this month. The foundation on the second pair of homes is going in next week, so the homes are ready for capping and framing. Volunteers are installing drywall and framing the basement on the first set of homes. 

 
20 Hoskins Square (in partnership with Habitat Brampton): 
At 20 Hoskins Square (Brampton), the exterior on this pair of homes is complete and volunteers are busy working on drywall and insulation.
 
372 Centre Street (in partnership with Habitat Durham): 

All four homes are almost complete at 372 Centre Street (Oshawa). Final finishing and landscaping is underway for families to receive keys in early June. 

 

build with us  

Remembering Isaac Akbari

Habitat for Humanity Toronto regrets to inform our community of the loss of a long-time friend, colleague, and ReStore Manager, Isaac Akbari, who passed away April 14th 2013. He will be missed by everyone here at Habitat Toronto. 

 

In his honour, Habitat Toronto has begun planting a memorial garden in front of Isaac's ReStore in Etobicoke. Those that knew Isaac will remember him for his high-energy, positive, gracious, and friendly demeanour. In fact, it was Isaac's positive energy that attracted many volunteers to Habitat, and kept them coming back throughout his eight years at ReStore Etobicoke. Our deepest condolences go out to Isaac's family and friends.

   

If you would like to help honour Isaac's memory, please contact Leona Phelan, ReStore Etobicoke Manager, at 416-755-7353 ext. 302 or [email protected] or, make a financial gift online in memory of Isaac.

Upcoming Events
Habitat "Fore" Humanity Toronto Golf Tournament
The early-bird deadline of June 1st is fast approaching for our annual golf tournament! Book now for a fun-filled day of golf competition packed with door prizes including tour packages, electronics, sports tickets and much more.
Date: Monday, July 22, 2013

Time: Registration starts at 12:00 pm 

Location: Coppinwood Golf Club

Sign up today: [email protected]    



Planet Palmerston Yard Sale 
This great community event includes a yard sales, lemonade stands, raffles, face painting, plant sales, bbq's, and live music, with a portion of proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Toronto.
Date: Saturday June 1st, 2013; 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Palmerston Boulevard, College St. to Bloor St.

 
Scotiabank Marathon 
Join Habitat Toronto runners for the Scotiabank 5 K, half-Marathon or full marathon. Special pricing ends on May 28th. Choose "Habitat for Humanity Toronto" as your charity when you register. Register Today.
Date: October 20th
Location: Harbourfront

Donate Now

Donor of the Month: Genworth Canada

Genworth Canada, a national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity Canada has been a strong and committed partner of Habitat Toronto since 2005. 

 

They have contributed to many home sponsorships and builds across the city including a matching gift campaign in 2012 which resulted in the sponsorship of one fully accessible home at our current 697 Danforth Road development.   

 

"Our business is based on making homeownership accessible and affordable across Canada," said Brian Hurley, President and CEO of Genworth Canada. "That's why we're truly committed to giving back to Habitat for Humanity Toronto who shares this goal."

Volunteer of the Month: Dale Zimmerman

 

Habitat Homeowner Lorena Sinato wanted to tell us about her favourite Habitat volunteer Dale Zimmerman (pictured above with Lorena, her son Bryan and Habitat volunteers and staff):

 

"Hello my name is Lorena Sinato. I am a volunteer, a Partner Family from 96 Richie Ave, and Bryan's mom. I would like to recognize Dale Zimmerman. She is a volunteer at Habitat and she also works at my son's school for special needs kids. As soon as she knew Habitat was building a home for Bryan, she asked the Principal if she could take off one day each week to volunteer on my house!! In the summer she worked almost every day - even the hottest days in July! This meant a lot for us. She is really special and dedicated. I would like to recognize and thank her!"

Habitat homebuilding in the Arctic  

 

Join Habitat Canada on a trip of a lifetime to beautiful Iqaluit on Baffin Island. Habitat is looking for eager volunteers to help construct a home in the 'northern style' along with a terrific team of local volunteers.  Help make an impact in this unique community and see a part of Canada that many people can only imagine. 

 

Trip date: August 10 - 18 

Cost: $1,700 including the airfare (tax deductible). Learn more online or contact Johanna Fernandez

 

This Mother's Day, give a gift from the heart

This Mother's Day, shop "Habitat Gifts from the Heart." 

Choose from a wide selection of donation items, and we'll send your mother an electronic greeting card reflecting the contribution you made in her honour. There's no better way to show that you care!       

 

 

ReStore Logo   
Let our ReStore Salvage team be your solution!


Ready for a lift, change, or upgrade in your home, but don't know what to do with your existing kitchen or bathroom? We'll take it.

Our experienced Salvage crew will happily remove your gently-used kitchen or bathroom cabinets, appliances, countertops, sinks, tubs and toilets for free! Plus, we'll give you a tax receipt for the estimated value of your product.