Local Student Lake Severin Wins $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity
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. Kingsville student Lake Severin is one of three Grade 4 runners up in the national contest, helping win a $10,000 grant that will go towards Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex. Read Lake’s winning entry “Feelings of Home”.
“As we all take shelter in our homes right now it has never been more essential that we provide safe decent homes for those in core housing need. Our children know what it means to have a safe, decent place to call home. And sadly many local youth also know what it’s like to worry about not having a home.” Says Fiona Coughlin, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex “Eliminating poverty housing is always our focus, and the young people who put pen to paper to help us give us hope for the future.”
Feelings of Home by Lake Severin
Home is where I have my bed.
A safe place where I can lay my head.
Because its mine, I feel so good,
It’s not the same in another neighbourhood.
The walls and roof cover all my favourite things.
A warm feeling of happiness inside, is what my home brings.
Through the front door, many memories are made.
Hopes and dreams, laughs and tears, songs and games are played.
Unique to me, my loved ones are inside.
My house is a place where I display my pride.
A place I can turn to, when all else is lost.
No other place would comfort me, at no other cost.
I can be me, when I am at home.
To not have to walk the streets or roam.
You can’t replace the feeling of HOME.
In addition to securing grants every single 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 across Canada. Locally 292 students entered the contest raising an additional $2920 for our local Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex. These much-needed funds will go towards building homes in the Ford City neighbourhood for families in need of a safe and secure place to call home.
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 online.
Founded in 1994, Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex is a non-profit community service organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
