Local Student Wins $10,000 for Habitat Peterborough
Grade 6 student from Peterborough a runner up
in a national student writing contest
The Meaning of Home is a national writing contest in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada that asks students in Grade 4, 5, and 6 to share what home means to them. Over 10,200 students entered this year’s Meaning of Home contest, which sets a new record. Peterborough student Siena Hopkins-Prest is one of three Grade 6 runners up in the national contest, helping win a $10,000 grant that will go towards Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. Read Siena’s winning entry “What Does Home Mean to Me” at meaningofhome.ca/winners-2020/.
These much-needed funds will go towards Habitat Peterborough’s innovative new 41-unit affordable condo building to be built at 33 Leahy’s Lane in Peterborough. Construction of the condo building is set to begin in September and will help local families, singles, couples, and seniors in need of a safe and secure place to call home.
“We were inspired to see that 743 students from our Region entered the contest this year,” said Christina Skuce, Director of Philanthropy & Communications with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. “This represents the highest number of entries we have received in a single year from our Region and when compared to other Habitats across Canada, the third-highest in all of Canada in terms of total submissions received. This resulted in an additional $7,430 in donations to go towards the Leahy’s Lane development.”
There are three grand prize winners, one from each grade, who has won a $30,000 grant towards a local Habitat for Humanity build. Nine runners up have won a $10,000 grant towards their local Habitat. Each student entry also earned a $10 donation for their local Habitat. During a time when many local Habitats are struggling with the financial impact from COVID-19 on their operations, this contest helped raise over $280,000. These much-needed funds will go towards building homes for families in need of a safe and secure place to call home.
“Too many families and individuals in our Region are struggling without access to a decent, affordable place to call home,” continues Skuce. “Siena’s winning entry and the key support of our local youth means that we can help more local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.”
The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of founding sponsor, Genworth Canada.
“I’d like to congratulate each of the contest winners and thank all the students who submitted entries on what home means to them. Since 2007, the Meaning of Home contest has been empowering youth to become engaged and compassionate members of the community while educating them on the importance of affordable housing. We’re proud to be a founding sponsor of this initiative,” said Stuart Levings, President and CEO, Genworth Canada.
In addition to the support of founding sponsor Genworth Canada, the Meaning of Home contest would not have been possible without the support of awards sponsor, Revera Inc. and judging sponsor, The Silver Hotel Group.
For a complete list of winners and to read the winning entries, please visit meaningofhome.ca/winners-2020/.