How does a Habitat Home help local area families?

Our donors have made a difference for families all over York Region and Bradford West Gwillimbury. Meet the Hayes family — father Pat, mother Shelley and their children Kailey and Jared. The Hayes family moved to Aurora in 1995 but was faced with the challenges of finding affordable, clean, safe housing for their family. Shelley’s sister Terry first encouraged her to apply to Habitat York. As her sister pointed out, she had nothing to lose by contacting Habitat, and indeed, only a home to gain. Shelley says, “I had heard about Habitat but had the incorrect assumption that the organization was more for disaster relief rather than helping every day families.”

The Hayes family received information on what their responsibilities would be and proceeded with the application. They were thrilled to find out that they had been accepted as a Partner Family. As a Partner Family, the Hayes were assigned a contact person and welcomed to the program. About her Partner Family experience, Shelley says, “Any time we had a question, it was answered in a timely fashion. We were encouraged to help build our own home, an experience that we would not trade for the world. Everyone involved welcomed us and made us feel “normal”. We were treated like everyone else on the build.”

When the Hayes family moved into their home, the support from Habitat York did not end. They remained in close contact with Habitat and received any assistance or advice that was required. “Being in our first home was a little scary, since we believed we would never have that opportunity, but Habitat was always there for us.”

Shelley states, “I cannot express adequately what home ownership means to us as a family. We are a part of a neighbourhood. We have pride in our home and in ourselves. We feel safe within our home, and have the rights and privileges afforded to all home owners. One of the best things is that my son is always inviting friends over, something he rarely did in the past