It was a joy to join the Habitat for Humanity Heartland team on World Habitat Day! From the first morning of muffin-filled camaraderie, greetings and smiles, to the amazing potluck at lunch on the same day, I was filled with gratitude to be welcomed by such a wonderful group of people.
The warm welcome continued as I journeyed throughout our region and ReStore locations, with an added curiosity, questions and a shared hope to be involved in what might be ahead.
Our Heartland Region has been especially impacted by the pandemic, shifting economy, shifting retail patterns, skyrocketing building costs, and the complexities of increasing fair market value. For an organization that operates as a bank for mortgages, a social enterprise retail chain, a builder/developer, and a registered charity - these conversations are complex, and the layers of complexity, rapid shifts, and increasing burden have necessitated two store closures over the last couple of years, significant cutbacks, and very sadly, the sale of a large property that Habitat future homeowners in Brantford were destined for.
The heartbreak is palpable in this team. The desire to work together to do better for the population we serve – also palpable, actionable, and inspiring.
And carrying this story, so began our first three months of change together - tentative, gently inquisitive, attempting to do what we can, while being transparent about what we cannot. We enjoyed five smaller holiday gatherings across our regions to take a pause to celebrate the joys of the season in each of our communities, before coming together in one room for our inaugural Heartland-Strong Team Day on January 6, 2025.
And now, as we look towards the year ahead, we have amazing insights, data, ideas and shared excitement on where we go from here. We don’t have all the answers yet; however, we have the questions, the curiosity and we are engaging our partners to help. Stabilizing Heartland and then seeking growth-based solutions will take a village and thank goodness we have that!
I am beyond grateful for the grace that has been awarded to us by donors, volunteers and community members, while many reach even further, to champion our recovery and stand beside us in the scary places.
Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario serves a region with a population of just over one million people across six counties. In true Habitat spirit, it’s time for Heartland to lay a new foundation and begin to build again. We’re ready for the climb!
Susan Fahner Chief Executive Officer Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario
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About Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario
Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario is a charitable organization dedicated to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Serving the regions of London, Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Brant, Norfolk, and Perth, the organization works alongside volunteers, donors, and community partners to create safe and affordable housing for families in need. By providing a hand-up rather than a hand-out, Habitat empowers families to break the cycle of poverty through sustainable homeownership. In addition to building homes, Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario also operates ReStores, where donated new and gently used items, such as furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures, décor, building materials, tools, electronics and more, are sold to fund building projects and support local communities.
For more information, visit Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario.