National student writing contest returns to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

Posted: 09-Jan-2023

Since 2007, students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 have shared what home means to them in a national writing contest that is now open and accepting entries. Submissions are being accepted by mail or online at meaningofhome.ca from today until February 24, 2023.

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region was lucky to have several contest winners over the years that supported building affordable homes, including in 2014, 2020, & 2021. The winners in 2020 and 2021 collectively raised over $30,000 for the Leahy’s Lane 41-unit condo project. Read the winning runner-up entry of Peterborough Grade 6 student, Olivia, on what home means to her. 

Housing continues to be an important concern for all Canadians, including children, who understand how housing can provide their family with a safe place – a place to study, pursue their dreams and build a better life. Every student who enters the contest will help Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region build safe and affordable homes because every entry earns a $10 donation towards their local Habitat for Humanity. Three grand prize winners will each receive a $30,000 grant to help a local Habitat for Humanity build a place to call home for a family in need of affordable housing. In addition, nine runners-up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity. Grand prize and runner-up winners all receive a tablet to take home and a pizza party for their class. Winners will be announced by June 2023.

Founded by SagenTM 1, the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $2 million to help local Habitats across Canada build decent and affordable housing. Last year over 13,000 entries were received, the largest number of submissions Habitat Canada has ever received for this contest and raised over $311,000.

“It is so wonderful to see the enthusiastic response each year from parents, teachers, and especially the children who enter this contest and share what home means to them in their own words,” says Julia Deans, President, and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “We know that having a safe and affordable place to call home helps people build better lives and stronger communities.”

“As a founding sponsor of this contest, we continue to be amazed at the creativity of each student who participates,” says Stuart Levings, President, and CEO of Sagen. “We are proud to see how this contest provides students with an opportunity to learn more about the importance of housing and give back.”

The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of Founding Sponsor SagenTM and Awards Sponsors Urban Systems Foundation, Face to Face Games, and Home Trust.

About Sagen™

As a sponsor since 2000, Sagen has donated over $5 million in support of Habitat Canada and has helped thousands of Canadian families realize their dreams of affordable homeownership. While Sagen’s financial support provides crucial funding for Habitat Canada’s homeownership program, its support extends far beyond. Throughout the sponsorship, Sagen employees, including President and CEO Stuart Levings and his executive team, have lent their leadership experience, industry knowledge and time to help launch many of Habitat’s signature programs, including the Sagen Homebuilding Grants, the Global Village Volunteer Program in

Canada and the Meaning of Home Contest. These programs, along with Sagen’s support and involvement in them, has significantly increased Habitat Canada’s ability to raise funds, recruit volunteers and, ultimately, support more families and build stronger communities. Find out more at www.sagen.ca