Habitat for Humanity is part way through their current build, a duplex on Myrtle Ave, but they are already looking towards the next project. They are also looking towards how it’s going to be funded, and are launching a funding initiative to help get the next project started. The Habitat Partner Program is directed at getting local business more heavily involved in building projects.
George Plews with Habitat says that the past six years have been something to be proud of for the organization, putting six families in new homes and raising $700,000 for those builds.
This campaign is centered around raising $150,000 for the next build, which is planned to follow the pattern of the current build.
“That will give us enough funding to start a new duplex in Yorkton.”
They also want more business involvement in the different builds, with Plews noting that they could use builds as team-building exercises, for example.
“The more involvement we can get from people or businesses, the better it is. For example, this home here, we had the faith community quite involved, and it was just wonderful because we had a number of volunteers we had never seen before, and some of them are still here helping. We hope they will continue to help us too.”
The reason for the campaign is partially because an election year brings uncertainty, so they want to know they can continue putting projects together in the city.
“We don’t really know what the future funding will be with the local governments, because we do have an election coming up so we don’t know what’s happening there.”
Plews says that the community support has been the reason why there have been six families in new homes in that time. He says this is a more formal program with a clear goal in order to keep the momentum going and continue to do something rare for a smaller community.
“I was involved in other communities, and it’s been 12 years since I’ve been in that community, and they don’t have six builds yet, so this is quite an accomplishment.”
