our stories

Meet John, one of Habitat Edmonton’s longtime volunteers. John’s journey with Habitat began in 2011, when he noticed an advertisement for volunteers on a Habitat Edmonton build site. He was thrilled to have found an opportunity that allowed him to fine tune his existing construction skills and wasted no time applying to volunteer. One project turned into many, and from 2011 to 2019, John participated on several build sites. He also participated on three Global Village Trips to Honduras, The Philippines, and the Dominican Republic. Eventually, John transitioned from build sites to a unique volunteer opportunity: checking in on vacant homes. In between homeowners viewing homes and getting their paperwork in order, John is tasked with visiting those vacant homes and ensuring all is well. Initially, he checked in on homes in West Edmonton where he lived, but he slowly added more homes to his list as time went on. Now, John checks in on homes all across the Edmonton area three times a week. John has always believed in supporting those less fortunate than himself. A retired High School teacher, John says he has been well blessed in life and chooses to spend his time helping those in need. Looking around his city, John wants to do everything he can to make a difference in the lives of families. He continues to volunteer his time at Habitat Edmonton as he believes in Habitat’s mission and has seen first-hand the transformational change an affordable home can make for a family. On his global village trips, John volunteered alongside families as they built their own homes. He recalls one homeowner in Honduras who, while building, repeatedly celebrated this this was “her house” with a big smile. In the Dominican Republic, he remembers laughing with a young boy who was speckled blue and yellow after painting his first room in his new home. In Edmonton, John spent time with young volunteers from training programs, teaching those who had never picked up a hammer how to pound nails and operate saws. By the end of the day, he saw them framing complete walls on their own. To John, his favourite part of volunteering is simply giving his time. In addition to Habitat, he volunteers at his church and donates to a number of charities. We are so grateful to have a dedicated volunteer like John! Learn more about volunteering at Habitat Edmonton.

Tesfamichael, his wife Senait, and their three children moved into their Habitat home in August. Transitioning from a small townhouse, his family was amazed at the amount of space they now had in their Habitat home and knew that life would never be the same.   It wasn’t an easy start for the family. Tesfamichael decided it was time to find a new home for his family when Senait wanted to pursue employment. Unfortunately, they discovered that if she did get a job, their rent would increase. An increase in rent was not in the family’s budget, so Tesfamichael started looking for a new rental home. It wasn’t until his friend encouraged him to apply for Habitat homeownership that Tesfamichael thought owning a home was even a possibility. Nervous but excited, Tesfamichael applied for Habitat homeownership. Having completed the first step, Tesfamichael said he was “very, very happy”. A short while later he received word that he was approved for a mortgage on the Habitat home. He wasted no time and immediately shared the great news with his family, who were so thrilled they asked if they could move into their home that very minute! Now, Tesfamichael’s three children live in a home that fits their needs. While their last home had a backyard, there was little room for the kids to play or for Tesfamichael and Senait to relax. The kids now run freely in the backyard. His daughter enjoys decorating her room, and Tesfamichael and Senaite also decorate their house with their personal tastes. Tesfamichael says their Habitat home is a step-up from their previous home, and as he looks around, he notices that everyone in his home is happy. For Tesfamichael, homeownership is happiness. He no longer worries about paying rent each month, and his wife can work. Her employment will grow her confidence and independence and will empower both parents as they save for their children’s future. Tesfamichael encourages anyone interested in owning a home to apply for Habitat homeownership. He does not have enough words to explain how grateful he is for the support he has received and is thankful for the opportunity to own his own home. Learn how you can take control of your future through Habitat homeownership.

Larry was newly retired and looking for ways to fill his time. He had learned about ReStore and inquired about volunteering, but decided it was the place for him when Habitat announced we would be opening a ReStore in Sherwood Park. The store is a short 10-minute drive from his home, so Larry took it as a sign and began volunteering. Larry installed shelving and stocked shelves a few days a week at ReStore Sherwood Park, readying the store for opening day. Now that the store is open, he enjoys unloading donations, pricing items, and assisting customers. When he isn’t at ReStore, Larry travels to the United States to participate on builds, helping families in need of affordable homeownership to build strength, stability, and self-reliance. Having already participated in two Habitat builds in the United States, Larry is looking forward to more in the future. He also enjoys volunteering at special events for Habitat Edmonton, such as greeting visitors home shows. Larry believes in supporting families in his community. He likes to offer a hand-up to those that may need support and do as much as he can to make their lives a little better. Since all proceeds from every ReStore purchase are reinvested into Habitat, Larry’s volunteer efforts at ReStore empower families in his community through affordable homeownership. Every minute that Larry spends volunteering at ReStore means families in his community can create stability for their children’s future, supporting them for years to come. Larry also enjoys visiting with customers and meeting new people, and volunteering at ReStore means he can help customers find specific and unique items they might be looking for. We are thrilled to have Larry as a regular volunteer at ReStore Sherwood Park. Next time you drop by, be sure to say hello! Learn how you can volunteer at ReStore.

When Chuck isn’t working on and showing off his 1921 Ford Model T, you can find him supporting several charitable organizations. Chuck regularly donates blood and visits seniors’ homes to display his car and chat with residents. It is no surprise that, due to his charitable nature, Chuck also loves spending his time volunteering at ReStore. Chuck learned about ReStore from a friend who invited him to volunteer and, by the end of his first day, Chuck had a blast. He was eager to spend more of his time at ReStore and inquired about helping at the new ReStore in Sherwood Park. He began volunteering long before it opened its doors to the public and spent his days stocking shelves and preparing the store for customers. When we opened the Sherwood Park store in 2021, Chuck continued to volunteer at ReStore. Now he can be found in the back of the store, testing donations and repairing items for sale. He is happy to help with whatever needs to be done, such as electrical work or stocking shelves.  Chuck chooses to spend his time at ReStore because he believes in Habitat’s work in his community. He gets a good feeling knowing that his time is giving families a hand-up so they can become homeowners. Chuck also likes visiting with staff and volunteers at ReStore. He feels welcomed and enjoys the positive attitude and happiness that surrounds him as he volunteers. It is thanks to the support of wonderful volunteers like Chuck that Habitat Edmonton can continue to help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Learn how you can volunteer at ReStore!

When Wendy reflects on life before she owned her Habitat home, she can hardly believe how much has changed. When she first came to Canada and settled in Edson, finding an affordable home was difficult. Wendy ended up sharing not just an apartment, but a bed with her aunt for six long years. Eventually, Wendy moved into a basement suite after marrying her husband, Alexander, and they had their first child. The basement suite was a large, empty room, where all three family members shared a foam mattress and slept close at night when the heater wasn’t working. When Wendy found out she was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband knew their family needed a safe and stable place to live, but thought that owning a home wasn’t possible. After all, she knew many families who lived in Canada for decades and still didn’t own a home. One day everything changed when Wendy saw an ad for Habitat homeownership and discovered she was eligible. Although not expecting a response, Wendy submitted her application and moved on with the busyness of her day. She was determined not to get her hopes up but remained excited at the idea of being a homeowner. It wasn’t until a week later when she learned she was approved that Wendy realized owning a home was possible for her family. Ten days after Wendy gave birth to her second child and months after she applied for Habitat homeownership, she held the keys to her home in her hand. “I remember telling Alexander that this was the first key that was my own,” said Wendy. “Even in the Philippines we didn’t own our home.” Moving in with a newborn and a one-year-old had its challenges, but eventually, the family settled into their Habitat home. Wendy’s oldest son enjoyed crawling around their home, something he couldn’t do in their small basement suite. Now that her children have grown older, they run around outside and play as loudly as they like without Wendy worrying about disturbing the neighbours. Wendy enjoys cooking in her own kitchen. In her rentals she had to ask permission to use the shared facilities. She now decorates her home exactly how she likes. A big fan of the holidays, Wendy decorated her home for Halloween in September, days after they moved into the house. Her holidays are filled with happiness and memories. Wendy is grateful for Habitat. She struggles to imagine her children’s future without their home and is relieved to know they will never need to live in an unsafe or unstable home. She encourages everyone in her life to consider Habitat homeownership, reminding them that owning a home creates a pathway to generational change.  Learn about how Habitat helps families own a home.

For over a decade, the REALTORS® Community Foundation (RCF) has supported Habitat Edmonton. With their help, Habitat Edmonton has empowered hundreds of families to take control of their future and become homeowners. By donating and giving their time, realtors from across Edmonton bring affordable homeownership to families in our community. The RCF has brought realtors together to give back to their community for over 30 years. This year, they made their largest gift in history when they donated $200,000 to Habitat Edmonton. Supporting grassroots organizations within their community is a focus for the RCF, and with similar goals and values, a partnership between Habitat Edmonton and the RCF was an easy decision. “As realtors, we know the impact that homeownership makes in a persons life, and Habitat’s work aligns perfectly with what we do,” says Nicole Mackoway, Interim Executive Director, REALTORS® Community Foundation. “It’s great to provide people with that feeling of ownership and pride.” In addition to donating, many RCF members have been participating on a Habitat build site. This has shown them firsthand how their support is transforming lives. Over the next year, REALTORS® Community Foundation members will continue to help build two homes on the Orest Myckan Legacy Build for families in Edmonton’s Montrose community. “It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to swing a hammer,” says Nicole. “Habitat’s work aligns so well with realtors who will have a chance to see first-hand how a house is built.” With the ongoing affordable housing conversation, it is clear that homeownership is out of reach for so many Albertans. Many families are ready to own a home, but expensive down payments and being stuck in the rent cycle might keep them from realizing their dream. Nicole says that the RCF appreciates how Habitat empowers families who need a hand-up into homeownership. Habitat Edmonton is grateful for the support the RCF has provided over the past decade. Together, we continue to empower families to become homeowners.

Cheryl’s memory of the first time she stepped into her Habitat home is crystal clear. When she received the news that she would become a homeowner, she was too excited to wait for her sons to get home, so she jumped in her car and headed over to her new home. Cheryl quickly got to work picking out each room for her family. She knew her oldest son, Logan, would need storage space for his collectables, so she chose the room with the biggest closets. She picked out the guest room, where Cheryl’s daughter and her daughter’s husband would stay when they visited, a room for herself, and one for her youngest son. Almost too excited to speak, Cheryl was ready to pack everything up and move-in that instant. At the time, Cheryl lived in a small home and had received word that her rent would be increasing. Cheryl and her sons had started packing, but unsure of where to go, their belongings sat at the front door. While looking for options, Cheryl came across an available Habitat home and thought it would be perfect for her family. The three-storey home had four bedrooms and a basement, a much better living arrangement than they currently had. It also had a backyard, where Cheryl envisioned a vegetable garden, and flowers in the front. Without a second thought, Cheryl send in her application and waited patiently. Shortly after Cheryl learned she was approved, she and her sons began packing the rest of their things as quickly as they could. With only two weeks to move, everything was a blur, and Cheryl is still finding herself unpacking boxes months later. Each time she opens another box, she is reminded that she now owns a safe and stable home. She does not need to worry about increases in rent or finding a new home, and she is able to pick up old hobbies like sewing and gardening. Their old home’s 22 stairs to the fourth floor made Cheryl feel like she was climbing Mount Everest each day, but their Habitat home is much more accessible. Owning a home has made transformational change in her children’s lives as well. Logan’s collectables no longer sit in bins, but are proudly displayed in his room. During hectic mornings, two showers provide plenty of getting-ready space, and the boys enjoy the close proximity to downtown and shopping malls, providing them with more independence. Homeownership has transformed Cheryl’s life, and she is proud. She said it tickles her heart every time she remembers she owns a home. Learn how you can own an affordable home.

Three years ago, Joe received an invitation from a friend to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Little did he know that a single day of volunteering would turn into three years of joy and fulfillment. Joe used to work as a Communications Electrician, testing and repairing phones across the province. When he retired, he wanted to stay active in a meaningful way and keep using his skills. Joe was searching for a volunteer opportunity where he could utilize his expertise, and it was during his first day at ReStore that he knew it was the place for him. Joe puts his years of experience as an electrician to good use by fixing donated items at ReStore. His dislike for waste and desire to give items a second life drew him to ReStore. Each time Joe repairs an item, he keeps it from landfill while helping Habitat Edmonton bring affordable homeownership to families. Being an immigrant himself, Joe understands the challenges that many face when seeking affordable homeownership, so supporting Habitat’s homeownership program is even more meaningful to him. The people at ReStore bring a smile to Joe and warm his heart. He enjoys engaging with other volunteers and staff, learning about their experiences. In return, he shares his valuable knowledge. He takes pleasure in teaching others how to fix items and expand their skill set. One Habitat homeowner was volunteering as part of her 500 volunteer hours, and Joe quickly became a mentor. Although she initially didn’t know much about electronics, over time, Joe taught her what she needed to know to bring electronics back to life. After completing her 500 volunteer hours, the homeowner continued volunteering at ReStore and, with the skills Joe taught her, is able to upkeep electronics both at the store and in her home. When Joe leaves ReStore at the end of the day, he feels great, as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He knows he is empowering families in his community, and that is exactly why he plugs-in at the ReStore each week. Habitat is grateful to the generous volunteers and mentors like Joe, who make it possible to help families gain control over their future through affordable home ownership. Volunteer at ReStore today!

Amy and her daughter, Isabelle, lived in low-income housing in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The longer Amy spent in her apartment, the more she realized it was not where she wanted to raise Isabelle. The apartment was unsafe: broken kitchen tiles and a moldy bathroom were a few things making life difficult. Amy longed to live in a home where Isabelle had space to run and play and be a child. Amy desperately wanted a change, however, alternative living situations were unaffordable. Expensive rent and down payments prevented them for the change they needed. Improving their living situation seemed less realistic each day. Everything changed for Amy when she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounting in November. Although she was thrilled at the idea of a better job and more income, Amy knew that she would no longer qualify for her low-income home. And yet, an apartment and homeownership was still out of her reach. Amy was scared, and didn’t know how she was going to find an affordable home for her daughter. A few years prior, Amy’s friend had purchased a Habitat home. She didn’t think that the opportunity would be available for her; however, her friend encouraged her to apply. Wasting no time, Amy visited hfh.org. Scrolling through the available homes, she was thrilled to see one available in Grande Prairie, and best of all, the home was just down the street from her friend! She filled out an application, but quickly found herself feeling anxious. Amy’s friend, having applied before, understood why Amy was anxious and tried to put her at ease. She repeatedly told Amy to stop worrying, certain that her friend would soon be her neighbor, but even with her friend’s support, Amy remained nervous. “I remember thinking, ‘if I get this home, it would be so great,’” said Amy. “We won’t have to live in an apartment or basement anymore. Our lives would be so awesome.” As it turns out, Amy didn’t need to worry. Waking up one morning, she was speechless to find an email with good news – she would soon be a homeowner! Moving day couldn’t come soon enough, and in April of 2022, Amy and Isabelle set foot in their home for the first time. The moving experience was a blur, and although Amy doesn’t remember much, she does recall feeling safe and secure. She and Isabelle are now settled, and Amy notes that there are almost too many positives about their home to count. They have a backyard where Isabelle plays and a garage for Amy to safely park her car. Their neighbourhood has plenty of other families so Isabelle is always playing with other children, and Amy is confident sending her daughter outside to play.   Amy and Isabelle now enjoy three bedrooms. A full basement and a large kitchen provide plenty of space and privacy. Isabelle can invite her friends over and, with the extra space, they can store their bikes in the garage and stay for a sleepover. Amy has noticed that Isabelle is generally happier. The home offers Amy peace of mind. She feels safe and comfortable, and enjoys the stability of homeownership without fear of increases in rent or needing to suddenly move. This home is her own, and she can change and decorate it how she wants. All the extra space provides Amy with the chance to start new hobbies, and she is looking forwards to planting a garden and a flower bed. Amy cannot recommend Habitat homeownership enough. She shares with everyone how Habitat has offered her independence and has provided a hand-up when homeownership seemed like a distant dream. Learn how you can become a homeowner.  

Donna and Albert sat on the floor of their empty apartment, filled with excitement and anticipation about moving. Having just received keys to their Habitat home, all their possessions were still packed away in boxes. The next day, they would move into their own home. They were homeowners; their dream for many years was now a reality. The road to homeownership was not easy for Donna and Albert. Arriving in Canada from The Philippines over 13-years ago, they settled in a small, crowded apartment that they shared with two other families. Since she was pregnant with their first child, Donna desperately wanted to own a home, but rent and expensive down payments put homeownership out of reach. Having worked as a government employee in The Philippines, Donna knew that affordable housing programs existed and started searching for an equivalent in Canada. This led her to Habitat for Humanity and, in 2014, Donna applied for a home. Their first application was unsuccessful, but Donna and Albert persevered and reapplied for homeownership in 2018. Again, their second application was unsuccessful. Donna was worried and discouraged, thinking homeownership was not for her family. Despite her concerns, Donna continuously checked HFH.org for available homes in their community of Slave Lake, and in March, one became available. Donna applied, and was thrilled to receive a call to let her know that she would finally be a homeowner. While she jumped for joy, Albert couldn’t believe his ears, and thought after eight long years he might be dreaming. Eventually, reality set in, and the two got to work preparing for their new home. Donna’s and Albert’s son, Dhon, is equally as excited about their new home. Although they only visited it once, Donna noticed that he already looks happier. It isn’t surprising that Dhon is so excited, since they shared one bedroom between the three of them in their old apartment. This made life difficult, as Dhon’s parents had to restrict his noise and playtime not to disturb their roommates and neighbours. In their Habitat home, Donna is looking forward to providing her son with more freedom. A large backyard means plenty of space for Dhon to play, and his own bedroom will provide him with independence. Donna and Albert have wasted no time in making the home their own. Beautiful flowers brightened their front porch mere hours after receiving their keys. Albert sees their home as a fresh start, and he can rest easy knowing every payment is an investment in his future. Donna can’t wait to watch Dhon play and grow, and is grateful for the safety and stability the home will bring to him and future children. Donna and Albert haven’t kept quiet about their Habitat home. In fact, they’ve shared the news with everyone they know, and encouraged anyone in a situation similar to theirs to apply for homeownership. Albert believes that their story will encourage more families in Slave Lake and northern Alberta to become homeowners with Habitat’s help. View our available homes and become a homeowner today!

If you’ve ever visited ReStore and chatted about upcycling with a volunteer, you might have met Inez! Five years ago, Inez retired and was searching for somewhere to volunteer. When a friend invited her to an orientation day to learn more about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, she noticed that her values strongly aligned with Habitat’s. Providing a hand-up, not a handout, caught Inez’s attention, and she decided that Habitat was where she wanted to volunteer her time. At the time, her options ranged from special events to volunteering in the office, but after years of working in finance, Inez was looking for a new experience. The more she considered her options, the more she realized that ReStore had the answers. ReStore has been Inez’s home-away-from-home for the last five years, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. ReStore is important to her because it helped her rediscover herself. Inez believes in reducing waste, and ReStore helps her show others the joy in “re”, encouraging them to re-use and re-love items. Inez feels encouraged as she watches customers see life in something used, and she likes to imagine the art they will create out of items they purchased at ReStore. Conversing with customers is one of Inez’s favourite activities, and she loves experiencing “aha” moments, when customers find exactly what they’re looking for and their eyes sparkle. The team spirit Inez experiences makes her feel valued. The environment helps her rediscover what she misses about her career while she forms new connections and relationships. She enjoys her days at ReStore so much that everyone in her life knows not to bother her on Wednesdays because those are her ReStore days. Habitat is lucky to have a passionate volunteer like Inez on the ReStore team! Learn how you can volunteer at ReStore.

How can we better support our kids to be confident and free to express themselves? Having the freedom to roam, make friendships and provide a safe and stable environment can transform hearts and minds. Rhea’s dream was for a home where her son and daughter could fully unpack without fear of moving and switching schools, and her life changed when she became a Habitat homeowner.

Have you ever had a Goldilocks moment when you stumble across something that feels just right? For Emerald, seeing her home for the first time was that moment. “It felt like a sign. For some reason, there’s a part of me that was drawn to the home, out of all the homes that were available at that time, there was something about that home when I walked in that felt like this is the home that I can raise my children in.”

Habitat Edmonton volunteers speak highly about their time in ReStore, from the relationships they’ve made to the skills they’ve built. Travis Nowak, a former ReStore volunteer and staff member, also remembers his days at ReStore fondly. “Volunteering at ReStore was a great experience,” he says. “I went in knowing nothing, and ReStore was a huge help in my life.” Two years ago, Travis was looking to build his resume, and was led to Habitat Edmonton where he inquired about volunteering in ReStore. Travis volunteered for four months before transitioning into a part-time position. With experience from ReStore, Travis eventually left to pursue his career, and now enjoys his role as an Economic Policy Advisor. In addition to his work in the government, Travis is the Chair of Five Days for the Homeless, which raises awareness and donations for youth homelessness within the local community. While looking for a team building experience for his team, Travis recalled his days at ReStore and decided to return. Nine members of his team enjoyed their day at ReStore, where they helped families in their community become homeowners while strengthening their relationships. Best of all, the entire team donated their hard earned volunteer hours, which will help Habitat homeowners achieve their volunteer hours requirements. Travis values ReStore and the relationships and experiences it has provided him over the years. From volunteers, to staff, to homeowners, Travis says that there is always an interesting conversation to be had and something to learn. The Five Days team had so much fun that Travis hopes to bring over 30 members of his team back to ReStore for another team bonding experience. Learn more about volunteering at ReStore.