A local Habitat for Humanity Committee will be hosting a full information night at the Legion Hall on June 19 at 7:00 p.m. The Committee hopes to answer questions as well as to rally support in the community for its first project.
"We'd like to provide an education for the community about Habitat, how it works and how to become involved," said City Councillor and local realty business owner Winston Bailey, who is the Chair of the Habitat for Humanity Steering Committee.
Manager of Weyburn Housing Authority, Pam Kwochka, serves as Chair of the Selection Committee and Michael Weger, LLB, serves as Site Coordinator and Legal overseer. Chartered accountant Ashley Stradeski is Treasurer and Father Gerry Bauche of St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church is Secretary. Contractor John Hulbert is on board as the official Contractor, Oilfield Contractor Ron Evans is head of the Fundraising Committee and the Volunteer Organizer is retired school administrator Jannette Tonn.
Councillor Bailey noted that he is acting as temporary head of Public Relations for the Committee, but that the group is looking for someone to take over that role as soon as possible.
"We're excited to get this kicked off," said Bailey, noting that there are many ways for people to get involved. Not everybody can swing a hammer or pour concrete, but there are plenty of other things they can do.
"Habitat provides access and the affordability to get people out of that 'just about able to make it' space," said Bailey. "We are able to bring them to the point of having ownership of a home and, socially, the self-esteem for them to say 'this is mine' for the first time in possibly generations. We change people's lives. That's the exciting part."
One hundred per cent of the project costs must be raised prior to the ground-breaking.
"I've worked with so many groups over the years in Weyburn," said Bailey. "When I made my presentation (in Regina, because are under the Regina umbrella for Habitat), I said there's two things in Weyburn that I'm not worried about. One is finding volunteers and the second one is raising the money. I stuck my neck out a long ways in saying that, but I just know Weyburn people." Tax receipts are available for all cash donations and/or materials.
"I know what we've got in place already and it's incredible," he said, noting that by the informational meeting they are hoping to even have determined a site for the first home.
Each home is custom-built for the family that is chosen.
"We don't start building a home," he noted. "We actually select a family before we start building, because then we build the home to suit their needs. They are required, as the selected family, to put 500 volunteer hours into this. That is their sweat equity, if you want to call it that, into getting a home. These things give them the confidence of taking ownership."
If the recipient family members are too busy to complete the 500 hours, their network of volunteers can donate their time toward the total hours of the family.
The home is provided at a zero-interest loan through Habitat, enabling the homeowner to get as good a start as they can. Their payments then roll over into the next Habitat project.
The family that qualifies for a Habitat home will have to have lived in Weyburn for at least two years, will have at least two years at their current employer and will qualify to pay a mortgage, but they will, undoubtedly, have a need.
"It's looking at a family and saying, 'we can make a difference in these peoples' lives," said Bailey. "That is all done with the coordination of the selection committee. When we do that, it is impacted - hopefully - for generations."
It all comes down to meeting needs on a project by project basis, 'one house at a time'.
"This is an ongoing process," he said. "We will continue to build houses for those in need as long as we can continue to find support and I know we will."
