HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-03-03, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016.
Blyth chosen as next Habitat for Humanity site
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Blyth has been chosen as the next
location for a Habitat for Humanity
Huron County Branch build and this
time the charity is switching up its
modus operandi.
After 10 years, and 10 structures,
the group is getting away from
single-family dwellings and will be
looking at a semi-detached home in
Blyth at a yet -to -be announced
location.
Habitat for Humanity Huron
Executive Director Cheryl Jefferson
explained to The Citizen that the
change is being done in hopes of
helping more people since more
intense developments wouldn't
really fit the communities of Huron.
"We wanted to double the number
of families we could help," she said.
"We don't have big cities in the area,
so putting up a condo building isn't
going to work."
Jefferson explained that the build
would likely be similar to
townhouses.
The announcement was made at a
special event late last month at the
Goderich Co-op Gallery located on
the square where the Habitat for
Humanity group has a special space
dedicated to it for the next few
months as a way of generating
interest in volunteering with the
program.
Habitat for Humanity builds
homes for families that need a better
home, but can't afford one through
traditional means. To be eligible,
families must demonstrate a need for
better housing as well as show
that they can afford mortgage
payments, taxes, insurance,
maintenance and utilities.
The mortgage for their home,
which is set up by Habitat for
Humanity, is a zero -interest loan,
meaning the family is only paying
for the house.
Families also need to be ready to
volunteer within the community as
well as helping with the build. Prior
to receiving a home the family needs
to complete 500 hours of volunteer
hours either with Habitat for
Humanity through other builds and
its ReStore locations or through their
community.
Locally, the organization has
engaged the Blyth Christian
Reformed Church to help.
"We will be working with the
church members to start getting the
community involved in the project,"
she said.
Specifically, the organization is
looking for a volunteer co-ordinator
to engage volunteers and their skills.
The co-ordinator will keep a
database that will allow the
organization to find people with the
right skills for the different stages of
the build.
A publicity and outreach volunteer
will also be sought to work with
media outlets and the community to
announce fundraisers, news and
upcoming events for the build.
Jefferson said that the organization
will be looking to deal with local
suppliers and tradespeople for the
build, saying that if fundraising is
done in Blyth, the organization will
be purchasing as much as possible
from local businesses.
Blyth provided an ideal spot, says
Jefferson, because of the fact that it
is a small town with all the necessary
amenities for the families that will
benefit from the build.
"Blyth is perfect," she said. "You
have that small-town feel but you
still have a grocery store, a post
office, and the [Blyth Festival] is
there"
The
Jefferson,
Festival, according to
provides a great
opportunity for not only the
necessary volunteer hours but also
possible part-time employment
which she said is often something
homeowners look for.
"Home ownership can motivate
people," she said. "If they want a
nice garden and need the right
materials to plant one, they may
need to make some extra money, so
they will take a part-time job to
achieve that"
She said that home ownership will
build self-confidence and self-
esteem not just for the parents in the
home but also for the children.
"The program offers a chance for
these children to see that you can get
nice things if you work hard to get
them," she said.
Those looking to apply for a home
or looking to volunteer can find the
relevant information on the
organization's website at
www. habitathuroncounty. ca
A win and a loss
The girls hockey team from Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute had a tough loss and a big
win during the Western Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association's (WOSSAA)
tournament held in Clinton and Blyth on Monday. The team started off slow, being bested by
Mother Theresa Catholic Secondary School from London 7-2 in a semi-final match in Blyth at
9 a.m., but then went on to win the bronze medal match 8-0 against London South Collegiate
Institute. The tournament's host rotates every year and this year St. Anne's Catholic
Secondary School hosted it. (Denny Scott photo)
M20
MAY McCONVILLE OMNI
insurance brokers ltd.
• FARM • HOME • AUTO •
• BUSINESS • LIFE • COMMERCIAL
• RECREATION • DISABILITY •
Well informed and qualified local personnel
Your Neighbours...Working For You
1-877-839-3742
CLINTON
8 Isaac St., Box 158
Clinton, ON NOM 1L0
519-482-3434
Fax: 519-482-1491
GODERICH
46 East St.,
Goderich, ON N7A 1W3
519-524-9899
Fax: 519-524-9699
LUCKNOW
634 Campbell St., Box 389
Lucknow, ON NOG 2H0
519-528-3824
Fax: 519-528-2531