Busy summer ahead for Habitat for Humanity

TORONTO - It isn’t rocket science, just sweat and elbow grease. But the result is families with a home.

Habitat for Humanity is gearing up for another summer of constructing homes for families who are under-housed — giving parents and their children a place in the community and a secure environment where they can grow up.

Among the projects Habitat has taken on this year are 10 units at 4200 Kingston Rd. in Scarborough, a single house in the upper Beaches neighbourhood and starting in October homes on the Scarborough Manse Road property which a coalition of all Toronto’s religious sisters purchased for housing before the Jubilee year in 2000.

The homes built there will benefit single women and their children, and Habitat will kick it off with a “women’s build.”

“It’s women helping women helping women, so it’s really a nice thematic for our women’s build,” said Habitat spokesperson Avigail Aronoff.

The annual Faith Leaders’ Build, in which pastors, rabbis and imams swing hammers and cut lumber side by side, isn’t until Nov. 4 this year, but there’s plenty a parish can do before then. Habitat is looking for donations from both parishes and individuals to support their Christian home-building mission.

Some congregations support Habitat by preparing meals for 25 to 150 volunteer construction workers.

Of course Habitat is always training new volunteers, both individuals and groups.

Habitat’s “Building On Faith Week” will be Sept. 15 to 21.

More than just another opportunity to volunteer, Habitat asks for prayers in support of its work, culminating in the International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat on Sept. 21.

To learn how your parish can help put a family into a decent home, call Habitat’s faith ambassador Robyn Allin at (416) 755-7353 ext. 242 or visit www.habitattoronto.on.ca.