The Blueprint: New Board Members, Writing Contest and More

Dear [NAME],

From all of us at Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, I hope your 2024 is off to a good start. There are a lot of exciting things happening at Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia these days, including a few projects we're excited to share in the not-too-distant future.

In the meantime, we're thrilled to welcome four new members to our Board of Directors. You can learn about them below.

We are also excited to announce a new date, venue and ticket price for the second annual Habitat's HUGE House Party and the return of the Meaning of Home writing contest for students in Grades 4, 5 and 6.

Learn more about these exciting initiatives and more below. As always, reach out to me at caleb@habitatns.ca with any thoughts or suggestions about this newsletter!

A blue blackground with light blue, organge and green graphics advertising the return of the Meaning of Home contest

The Writing Contest for Students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 Is Open Until February 23!

Students in Nova Scotia can combine creative writing with community service during the Meaning of Home contest, presented by Habitat for Humanity Canada and sponsored by Sagen.

The contest asks students in grades 4, 5 and 6 to share what home means to them in a 50-300 word poem or essay, in English or French. Three grand prize winners will win a $30,000 grant for their local Habitat, an iPad, and a pizza party for their class. Runner-ups will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat, a tablet and a pizza party.

Each entry in Nova Scotia results in a $10 donation to Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, helping build safe and affordable homes. Teachers who register their classes can access an education module with lesson plans, or parents can register children individually.

The contest closes on February 23, 2024. Don't miss this opportunity for your students or child to make a meaningful impact!

Learn More

Welcome to Our New Board Members!

Caroline Blair-Smith

Vice President of Human Resources, Nova Scotia Power

Blair-Smith brings over 20 years of experience as a respected leader. With a background spanning various roles, including at the Halifax Regional Municipality and Coca-Cola Bottling, Caroline is known for her corporate vision and effective leadership. Passionate about community service, she is a long-time volunteer with ISANS and Dalhousie Alumni, and she now joins the Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia Board.

Ben Hagon

Co-Founder and President of Intent

An award-winning communications professional and entrepreneur, Hagon is the founder and leader of Intent, a creative communications agency for non-profit organizations. With over 20 years of experience, he has garnered him numerous accolades, including awards from top industry organizations. Outside of work, he serves as the Chair of the Program Advisory Council for Graphic Design at St. Lawrence College. He now brings his wealth of experience and passion to the Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia Board.

John Wills

President and Owner, Spyder Design Build Inc.

As president and owner of Spyder Design Build Inc., Wills brings over 30 years of experience in design, development, and construction management to the Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia Board. Widely recognized for his commitment to community service, John has led support for various events and charity organizations, including chairing The Great Big Dig, a yearly fundraising event for the IWK. John resides in Halifax with his wife Tricia and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.

Deepak Prasad

Sergeant, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Deepak Prasad, a Sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a doctoral student at London Metropolitan University, brings extensive expertise in first responder wellness and leadership to the Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia Board. As the first Divisional Wellness Coordinator for the RCMP Nova Scotia Division, Deepak authored the inaugural Divisional Integrated Wellness Strategy. His commitment to community service is evident through his involvement with various non-profit boards, including St. John Ambulance and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Deepak resides in Halifax with his wife, Tara, and daughter, Hannah, contributing his diverse skills and passion for well-being to the board.

See Our Full Board of Directors

A graphic advertising Habitat's HUGE House Party in 2024.

New Year, New Venue, New Ticket Price

Mark your calendars for September 20, 2024, when Habitat's HUGE House Party will take place at Steele Wheels in Bayer's Lake. Sponsorship opportunities are now available but spots are limited, so act fast! Contact us to find out how you can help this vital cause.

Join us in making a meaningful impact this September!

Become a Sponsor

Background photo of two-by-fours with logos of the companies and organizations that donated studs.

Thank You to All Our 2023 Stud-A-Thon Supporters!

Thanks to your support, we were able to raise more than $21,000 to support the construction of affordable homes in Nova Scotia! To everyone who contributed, thank you on behalf of the entire Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia team.

Please note that anyone looking to return a stud can drop them off at our office at 81 Wright Avenue on Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm or at our ReStore on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. We ask that you leave your name on the stud or ensure that whoever receives your stud gets your name so that we can show you where it is placed in a Habitat home.

Missed the 2023 Stud-A-Thon deadline? You can still donate a stud! Click the button below to learn more.

Support the 2024 Stud-A-Thon

February is Our Monthly Giving Drive!

Next month, help build a brighter future for families in Nova Scotia by becoming a monthly donor. At Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, we know that housing is so much more than bricks and mortar. Decent housing transforms people’s futures, strengthens communities and fosters resilience and stability that transcend generations, and drive positive social and economic outcomes for all.

Affordable homeownership helps families build bright futures for themselves and their children. But more work needs to be done.

We need to ensure that everyone in Nova Scotia can access the stability and security that come from having affordable and equitable housing and we need your help to do it.

Please consider a monthly gift to Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia - help build the future

Make A Monthly Gift

Housing Headlines

January 18, 2024 - Ottawa, Millbrook First Nation spend $7M on 34 homes, CBC

January 17, 2024 - Membertou First Nation building 32 new homes with federal funding, CBC

January 2, 2024 - Halifax company hopes expandable homes can help shrink the housing crisis, SaltWire (partial paywall)

December 19, 2023 - Nova Scotia sees spike in military personnel living in tents, couchsurfing amid housing crisis, SaltWire (partial paywall)

December 6, 2023 - How bad is the housing crunch in your N.S. town? Reports offer glimpse, CBC

Help Nova Scotia Families and Communities
By Getting Yourself Something Nice

Did you know that the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Dartmouth helps fund Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build affordable homes in Nova Scotia. When you shop at the ReStore or donate, you are helping build affordable homes for working families across the province.

Come visit us today at 81 Wright Avenue in Burnside!

That does it for this issue of The Blueprint. Thank you for reading!

Thoughts about this newsletter? Is there anything we missed? Please let us know at caleb@habitatns.ca.

Mailing Address:

Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia
81 Wright Ave
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B3B 1H4

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