our stories

While shopping at ReStore, you might run into Ogo. Whether you’re looking to purchase a much-needed item or searching for a unique piece, Ogo will stop at nothing to help you find what you’re looking for. Twice a week, this dedicated volunteer spends her time labelling items, stocking shelves, and of course, helping customers.  Ogo discovered ReStore last year while searching for employment opportunities. A staff member at an employment center recommended that she volunteer, which would help improve her resume and give her something to do in her spare time. Although she knew little about Habitat for Humanity, and even less about ReStore, Ogo gave volunteering a try. In just a few days she was hooked. ReStore’s values align with Ogo’s, and it’s for that reason she chooses to spend much of her time there. She believes in providing a helping hand to those in need and loves giving her time to do so. Ogo says her time at ReStore has taught her the value of volunteering, and even after she has a full-time job, she will continue to donate her time. In fact, Ogo’s entire week is spent volunteering, and when not at ReStore she can be found volunteering at the Hope Mission on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Ogo also likes to spend time at ReStore because of the people. She says the other volunteers, staff, and managers are all kind and supportive, and have even offered to be a reference when searching for jobs. In addition to staff and volunteers, Ogo enjoys helping customers find items. She sees all kinds of people at ReStore, and especially likes helping women in construction search for items they might need. Soon, Ogo will get married, and she is looking forward to moving to Japan to complete her PhD. Although our time with her is limited, we are forever grateful to Ogo for volunteering at ReStore.  Learn how you can volunteer at ReStore!

On the night of March 31, Donnah, her husband Alvin, and their daughter Chloe were wide awake. Laying in their sleeping bags on an empty living room floor, the three gazed around, in awe of what was now their home. Being too excited to sleep, they sat up and spent the night discussing their future. For the first time in their lives, they owned a home and couldn’t wait to make it their very own. Just a few months earlier, Donnah and Alvin were renting an apartment. They were working hard to purchase a home but found roadblocks at every turn. Securing a down payment seemed impossible, and options like rent-to-own were equally inaccessible. Their dream of homeownership slipped further and further away with each setback, leaving Donnah feeling increasingly disheartened. When a friend who had recently bought a home remarked, “You should really get your own house, it’s about time,” Donnah felt a wave of frustration over their lack of progress in achieving homeownership.    It wasn’t until Donnah saw a Habitat ad on Facebook that she thought owning a home might be a possibility. With her friend’s words ringing in her ear, she visited Habitat’s website, noting the benefit of no down payment. Still skeptical, she recalled that a co-worker had become a homeowner through Habitat and asked her for advice. Encouraged by the positive experience, Donnah, Alvin, and Chloe, spent the evening applying to be homeowners. A short while later, Donnah received a call from Habitat; her family was approved and would soon be homeowners! At work and unable to contain her excitement, Donnah jumped from her chair, cheered, and began to cry. Her concerned co-workers quickly realized these were tears of joy and congratulated her. The news couldn’t have come at a better time, as Chloe was about to undergo heart surgery, and the extra space in their Habitat home would provide the perfect environment for her recovery. “It’s like everything fell into place at the right time,” said Donnah. In their home, the family has more room to live comfortably, no longer needing to squeeze past each other to enter the kitchen. Their new neighborhood is safe and quiet, and they sleep soundly at night. Alvin takes pride in maintaining the garden and front yard, while Donnah enjoys decorating the living room. Chloe is thrilled to have her own room and has remarked that she can now sleep well without her dad snoring by her ears. Even their cat, Franko, is thriving in the new environment. Donnah is grateful to Habitat for empowering her to become a homeowner, and she is eager to make lasting memories in their new home. She encourages anyone who is considering Habitat homeowner to apply as soon as they can. Despite that you might think, she says, it isn’t too good to be true! Learn how you can become a Habitat homeowner.

When Jack retired, he was looking for something to keep him busy. In no time at all, he found ReStore and has been volunteering ever since! Now, he spends his days testing electrical equipment, appliances, and tools. Listen to his story:

On June 15, we celebrated our wonderful ReStore shoppers by offering 30% off at all four ReStore locations across the Edmonton area! This special event was our way of saying thank you to our customers for their support. We also held a raffle with four chances to win gift certificates worth up to $250. Here are our lucky winners: $50.00 winner – Dan L. $100.00 winner – Cecilia R. $150.00 winner – Francis J. $250.00 winner – Jonathan A. With ReStore shoppers’ support, we continue to empower families across northern Alberta through affordable homeownership. All proceeds from every ReStore purchase are reinvested into Habitat Edmonton, so every dollar spent provides Albertans with a hand-up into homeownership. Learn more about how ReStore makes positive, generational change in our community.

Get ready, Edmonton! Habitat Edmonton is thrilled to announce our second annual Customer Appreciation Day on June 15th! This is your chance to score amazing deals, win fantastic prizes, and support a great cause all at once. Here’s why you absolutely can’t miss this incredible event: 30% OFF EVERYTHING IN STORE! Yes, you read that right. On June 15th, enjoy a massive 30% discount on everything in the store. Whether you’re looking for new and used furniture, appliances, household goods, tools, or building materials, we’ve got it all. This is the perfect opportunity to find treasures at unbeatable prices. Win Big with Our In-Store Raffle Feeling lucky? We’re giving you four chances to win up to $250 in ReStore gift certificates! Our in-store raffle will be available at all four Edmonton-area locations. Live Remote with 104.9 Virgin Radio Join us at ReStore South from 1 pm to 5 pm, where the DJs from 104.9 Virgin Radio will be doing a live remote broadcast. It’s going to be an afternoon full of great music, fun conversations, and a lively atmosphere you won’t want to miss! Support Affordable Housing Every purchase you make at ReStore benefits your community! That’s because all proceeds from ReStore go back to Habitat for Humanity Edmonton’s mission of empowering Albertans through affordable homeownership. Our Locations: ReStore North: 8210 Yellowhead Trail NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 1G5(780) 471-49099:30 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Sat ReStore South: 4004 – 99 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 3N5(780) 462-15269:30 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Sat ReStore West: 16811 – 106 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 4G1(780) 455-06459:30 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Sat ReStore Sherwood Park: 7 Streambank Avenue, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 1N1(780) 449-15499:30 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Sat Mark Your Calendars! 30% off discount applicable on June 15, 2024 only at Edmonton-area ReStores. Discount cannot be combined with other coupons. Discount not applicable on past purchases.

We are thrilled to reveal the grade 6 runner-up winner of Habitat Canada’s 2024 Meaning of Home contest! This year, Rihanna Robin has touched our hearts with her beautiful poem about what home means to her. In partnership with Sagen, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is honored to present Rihanna’s heartfelt words that remind us all of the profound impact a loving home can have. Her poem resonates deeply with our mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. As part of her prize, Rihanna won an iPad, her class enjoyed a fantastic pizza party, and $10,000 was donated to Habitat Edmonton to support our mission. Watch this video to hear Rihanna’s inspiring poem:

Aaron Robinson started working in real estate to help people. When he joined the Realtors® Community Foundation, he realized the tremendous impact their support had in his own community. Here’s why:

Since moving from his parents’ house seven years ago, Michael struggled to find a safe place to call home. Although he always had a roof over his head, he was frequently forced to uproot himself and move to yet another uncertain apartment. Each time he found a new place to live, bad roommates or expensive rent created an unstable environment where Michael rarely felt comfortable or safe. Things finally began to change the day he learned about Habitat Edmonton. Initially, Michael was hesitant to apply for Habitat homeownership. He was worried that he wouldn’t qualify, but with a much-needed push from his girlfriend, Michael sent in his application. Although he was approved for homeownership and began looking at available homes, Michael remained nervous, thinking this opportunity was sure to fall out from underneath him like so many others. It wasn’t until Michael received the keys that he realized he was finally a homeowner. Now, Michael lives in a spacious home, unlike his small one-bedroom apartment before. He says he is excited to be a better pet owner and provide his cat, Z, with the stable home she needs. He is also looking forward to crafting his own space exactly how he likes it, without needing to worry about permission from roommates or landlords. Finally, Michael is living in a home he feels proud of. “I’m home for the first time since I was a kid,” says Michael. “I’m in a place where I feel like I can be here for a long time.”   It isn’t just his home that has improved, but his neighbourhood, his commute to work, and more. Michael feels safer and enjoys having a strip mall with both a walk-in clinic and a vet right across the street. He is closer to work, and no longer needs to travel for hours by bus to and from work each day. At 30, Michael is thrilled to be a homeowner. Now that he doesn’t need to worry about theft or rent, he feels secure. He is ready to take steps towards creating a better life for himself through things like car ownership and savings. Learn how you can become a homeowner and build strength, stability, and self-reliance.  

After retiring, Gerry was looking for a place to spend his newfound free time. ReStore offered the perfect spot to volunteer and utilize his skills. These days, Gerry spends his time in the warehouse at ReStore, testing lights and repairing them for resale. Listen to his story:

When Muhammad and his wife, Sana, completed their application for a Habitat home, they were filled with both anxiety and excitement. This was a big step for the couple who had only ever rented. After moving from Saskatoon to Edmonton, they had hoped for a home they could afford but found they needed an expensive down payment and that monthly payments were more than they could handle. As a result, Muhammad, Sana, and their children Dua, Huda, and Abdullah, were stuck in the rent cycle for years. The couple was so used to renting that owning a home seemed like only a dream, even when they discovered Habitat’s program. They sat in front of their computer, hesitant to click a button to submit their application. Thankfully, Muhammad summoned the courage to apply, marking the beginning of their homeownership journey. A surprising email arrived a few weeks later to confirm that their application was successful! A short while later, Muhammad and Sana stood in their empty apartment with their belongings packed, waving goodbye to renting and hello to homeownership. They were more than ready to turn their backs on their small apartment with a noisy roommate and no backyard and move to a home that fit their needs.  Now, Sana is content in her home. She organizes how she sees fit, making the space her own, and she is providing her children with the childhood she said she never had; helping them decorate their rooms and encouraging them to play in the backyard. Homeownership provides Muhammad with stability – and a sense of relief! – knowing that every mortgage payment is building equity and a bright future. “If my wife is happy, then I am happy,” says Muhammad. “My kids are happy too, and I have my own personalized space to relax. Everything is good to me now.” Muhammad says that owning a home is one of the biggest decisions he has ever made, and he is grateful to have been empowered by Habitat. He encourages anyone interested in homeownership to apply today!

“Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action.  These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” – Helen Dyer Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is blessed to have the best volunteers on the planet. You’ll find our volunteers serving customers, unloading donations from vehicles, delivering flyers, entering data, answering phones, staging furniture, participating at events, and more – you’ll see their many faces in many places! Our 630 volunteers are keenly aware of the need for affordable homeownership in Edmonton and across northern Alberta. They serve come rain or shine (or snow, hail, sleet, or whatever storm has been stirred up for Albertans!) and they bring joy to our world day-in and day-out. This week we are proud to celebrate National Volunteer Week at Habitat Edmonton, presented by Servus Credit Union! Servus has committed to support the Volunteer Program at Habitat Edmonton through a presenting sponsorship over the next two years. Servus believes that every person deserves a safe and comfortable home, and they value volunteerism, community, and social responsibility. Their support of Habitat’s Volunteer Program embodies their commitment to creating a positive impact in the communities where they work, live, and play. To celebrate our partnership, Servus Credit Union designed the beautiful t-shirt (pictured below) which volunteers wear in our ReStores.  The t-shirt designed by Servus Credit Union highlights the significant impact of the volunteers’ commitment to build strong communities. The focus is on the volunteers — capturing their energy and efforts in providing affordable homeownership. The heart in the house symbolizes the compassion and dedication they infuse into their work. The ribbon represents their connection and engagement with the community, and the tree symbolizes the growth of a healthy and stable community. It should go without saying that volunteers are vital to the success of our program. Families, couples, and individuals across northern Alberta are empowered to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. In 2024, we look forward to welcoming more volunteers to ReStore and providing them with the opportunity to develop skills and produce tangible outcomes for people in our community. We see what Helen Dyer calls “the voice of the people” being put into action at our ReStores and in every area of Habitat. The success of our program is contingent upon the many hands that help. Many thanks to our presenting sponsor, Servus Credit Union, for empowering our volunteers to be change agents in the Edmonton area and beyond. Together, we are molding the present into a future of which we can all be proud. Happy National Volunteer Week!

On a warm and sunny day in 2022, Jefferson drove around his town of Rocky Mountain House. Despite the lovely weather, his thoughts were clouded with concern for his wife, Marisol, and his daughter, Eira. They all lived in his parents’ basement suite, which was quickly becoming inadequate for his family, especially considering they had a second child on the way. Jefferson had yet to secure a home that fit his growing family’s needs, despite trying for months. Every promising opportunity for homeownership was quickly crushed by expensive down payments and monthly mortgage payments. As he drove around town clearing his thoughts, a sign in front of a beautiful house that said, “Habitat for Humanity” caught his eye. Jefferson got out of his car to take a closer look. Although he didn’t know it at the time, this was the beginning of a homeownership journey that would transform his family’s life.    Learning about Habitat’s affordable homeownership program filled Jefferson with a mixture of joy and anxiety. This could be his chance to finally own a home and provide his family with the stability they desperately needed. On the other hand, he was nervous that his hopes would be crushed again. Despite his concern, Jefferson took the leap and applied. To his surprise, he soon received a call from Habitat inviting him to view the available homes in his community and choose his future home. “I was confused when I got the call and so I asked her, ‘what do you mean?’,” said Jefferson. “Habitat said ‘well, you’re approved!’ I was so excited and happy, and I immediately told my family.” Since moving, life has changed dramatically. The family is no longer cramped in a small basement suite – instead, children have their own rooms and a place to relax. Their home is in a safe neighbourhood with a spacious backyard, and the children have no shortage of space to play and run. For Jefferson and Marisol, owning a home has changed their lives. Marisol spends her free time gardening in the summers while Jefferson maintains the home. He’s proud of staining the deck and setting up a gazebo in the backyard. Gone are sleepless nights spent worrying about housing and affordability. When Jefferson drives around town, he enjoys the warm weather and sun, his thoughts no longer filled with concern about housing. Jefferson would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who helped him become a homeowner. With Habitat’s support, he was empowered to own his own home, and build strength, stability, and self-reliance for his family. Learn how you can own an affordable home.

When you think of home, you might imagine a house or a duplex, filled with the laughter and love. The house may be big, small, blue, white, and one storey, or maybe two. Perhaps it’s nestled in a quiet neighbourhood, or in busy downtown. What you imagine will be different than those around you; however, it is safe to assume that the home you imagine is a safe and affordable place to relax at the end of the day. Safety and affordability are exactly what Hammou and his family had pined for, but were not able to reach. Every couple of years, Hammou had to uproot his family to relocate to a new apartment in Edmonton. The family could not afford the rent. He grew frustrated as his wife, Ibtissam, his son, Kareem, and his daughter, Rodinna continued to be separated from the relationships they built in each neighbourhood time and again. Hammou wanted nothing more than to provide a stable home for his growing children, but saving for a down payment on a home was a major obstacle. Until that down payment came, he would be forced to rent and then move when the rent increased. While speaking with a friend, Hammou learned about the Habitat program. That house he had imagined – could it be possible? As a life-long renter, he was overwhelmed by the possibility of homeownership, and applied immediately. He found the application process easy and, before he knew it, Hammou was approved as a Habitat homeowner. He shared the good news with Ibtissam, “Finally, we will get a home for ourselves!” Hammou says moving into his home was unforgettable; a moment that would be forever etched in his memory. While their old apartments had limited space, his Habitat home has enough room for a growing family of four. The neighbourhood is filled with families, so his children have plenty of other kids to play with, and his daughter’s school is a short walk from their home. The family has freedom to decorate their home as they please, and even after living there for two years, Rodinna continues to ask to paint her room in different colours. Calmness has flooded the home and worries about the need to suddenly pack up belongings and move have subsided. The family has stability, and growing stronger and more confident each day. Hammou is grateful to Habitat for the hand-up into homeownership. The down payment obstacle was removed, and the family is now flourishing. Although he says thank you is not enough, he is eternally appreciative of how he has been empowered to build strength, stability, and self-reliance. Learn how you can own an affordable home.

Geoff is surrounded by family members who love to volunteer. While Geoff was growing up, his mother volunteered anywhere she could, and his wife regularly spends time at seniors’ programs, elementary school reading programs, and children’s programs in their community. It is no wonder then that Geoff himself loves to donate his time to Habitat for Humanity.  Despite spending a great deal of his time volunteering at Habitat, you won’t be able to find Geoff in just one place. From November to April, he lends a hand in our ReStores, helping anywhere he is needed. This includes unloading donations from trucks or helping customers on the floor. In the summer, Geoff parts ways with the internal side of ReStore and instead spends his sunny days maintaining the lawns and properties at two of our Edmonton ReStores. Geoff has long enjoyed lawn maintenance, having created his own landscaping company while in university. His support of Habitat began when, after retiring, he didn’t want to part ways with his passion, and so he uses his landscaping skills where he can for Habitat. When Geoff heard about ReStore, he was hooked, and he has volunteered both inside and outside of ReStore since.  As a believer in Habitat’s philosophy of a “hand-up, not handout”, Geoff understands how the Habitat program transforms lives and leads to generational change. He loves to support those in his community who need affordable homeownership and, through his volunteer work at ReStore, he knows he is playing a part in empowering them. He has seen firsthand how hard Habitat’s homeowners work to own their home and how appreciative they are for the opportunity. In addition to the community support, Geoff loves to volunteer at ReStore because of the people. Having travelled to over 50 countries for work, he has met many people in his lifetime and wants to meet more! From volunteers and staff to ReStore customers, Geoff enjoys getting to know people, and he brings plenty of friends to volunteer with him at ReStore. The next time you visit a ReStore, keep an eye out for Geoff. He might be inside helping customers or outside tending to the lawn, but either way, he is making positive change in his community. Learn how you can volunteer at ReStore.

For the past 16 years, Elaine has spent her free time volunteering at Habitat Edmonton. She began volunteering when, after retiring as a teacher, she was looking for volunteer opportunities. She had heard of Habitat and decided to help on a build site in Edmonton’s Norwood community. She was impressed with the efficiency of the build, and so she continued to volunteer on build sites across Edmonton. After learning several interesting and unique skills, Elaine paused her volunteer work with Habitat until the South ReStore was opened in 2017. Elaine was drawn to ReStore because she loves to organize. After attending a volunteer session, she was hooked, and has volunteered at ReStore ever since. She focuses most of her time on stocking and organizing shelves, so customers can more easily locate items. She likes to stand back and look at the many items available at ReStore, marveling at how many items are diverted from the landfill. She believes that we should walk gently on the earth, avoiding overconsumption and discarding items that are still useful. She values how ReStore provides well-loved items with a second life. Helping others who need a hand-up is also important to Elaine, and she believes that we “all do better when we all do better.” She knows that when a parent has a safe and stable home, they can make positive, generational change in their family and community. Elaine says volunteering at ReStore is a symbiotic relationship, as she gets as much out of volunteering as families get out of Habitat’s affordable homeownership program. At the end of each day, Elaine feels happy knowing she is helping to provide a hand-up to families in her community. Meeting people and getting to know them is another reason why Elaine volunteers at ReStore. After hitting it off with another volunteer, Elaine and her new friend spent time together outside of volunteering. Although her friend has since moved, Elaine keeps in touch with her. Elaine has also made friendships with some Habitat homeowners she volunteers alongside as well as ReStore staff. Thanks to volunteers like Elaine, we continue to divert items from the landfill and empower families through affordable homeownership. Learn how you can volunteer at ReStore.