our stories

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.

When Rhea reflects on life before she owned her home, she thinks of instability. She had been renting since she was 18, and her 11 year old son, Caine, had moved 14 times in his life. Frequent moving prevented Rhea and her husband, Chad, from providing a stable home for their children. Try as they might, a down payment on a home was difficult to secure, and each time they thought they were ready, home ownership remained  just out of reach. Staying in the community of St. Albert was important to Rhea and Chad, but finding an affordable home in their area was difficult. Rhea and Chad remembered that Habitat Edmonton had built the development known as Aurora Place in St. Albert, but thought that they probably did not qualify. Tjeu decided to check. When Rhea visited the website and saw an available home in Aurora Place, she eagerly filled out an application. Although Chad was nervous, Rhea was excited, and knew this could be their chance to finally own a home. A short time after applying, Rhea learned that she and Chad would be homeowners. She couldn’t wait to see their new home, and quickly drove over for a walk around the development. She was the first of her family to step foot in their front door, and was surprised at how spacious the home was. She thought it was perfect, and when her family arrived to see their home, they agreed.  Now that they own a home, Rhea’s family has stability, and everyone has put down roots. A turntable, records, a piano, and several banjos sit in their living room, where Chad often serenades his family with his banjo playing and music. The walls of their home proudly display Rhea’s detailed and intricate drawings. Rhea’s daughter, Maryka, has collected an impressive number of Squishmallows, and Caine has made several friends in their community. Instability is no longer present in their lives, and all four family members feel safe and secure. Rhea and Chad no longer spend sleepless nights worried about increasing rent or needing to move. They are confident in their finances, and have finally been able to save for their  future. “Habitat Edmonton has changed my life,” says Rhea, “and they’re going to change the lives of so many others.” Listen to Rhea’s story below: View our available homes and apply.

Life was about to change for Emerald and her son, Calem. Although her small apartment initially met her family’s needs, Emerald learned she was pregnant with her second son, Andre. As she looked around the apartment, she realized that the living space would be a problem and living there would become less realistic when Andre arrived. However, space was not the only issue for Emerald. She was growing concerned about her family’s health due to secondhand smoke in the building’s hallways. Emerald knew she wanted more for her sons, but owning a home did not seem to be in the cards. All the homes she researched were out of her budget, and she feared having little to no money left over to save for her children’s future. She was being squeezed on both sides – an inability to purchase a home and costs and pressures of continual rent. One day, while discussing her situation with her family, Emerald’s father suggested looking into Habitat for Humanity. Her father had volunteered for Habitat in Manitoba, and had seen many lives changed over the years. Shortly after giving birth to Andre, Emerald explored the possibility of home ownership through Habitat. After visiting the website and looking at available homes, she was thrilled to see the perfect home in the perfect neighbourhood. Although initially hesitant, Emerald felt deep down that this was her opportunity for a better life, and so she applied.    “It felt like everything aligned perfectly,” she says. “It was a good location, the daycare where Calem went was close by, and Mill Woods is easily accessible.” Emerald’s father was happy to hear the news about Emerald’s application. Emerald, on the other hand, was nervous. However, her hope began to overshadow the anxiety. A short two weeks later, Emerald received the news. She was approved and it was time to begin packing! Walking into their home for the first time was magical. Emerald noted that it “felt right”. An overwhelming sense of relief flooded her – she knew she had a healthy home with enough space for her sons. There would be no more climbing stairs to the fourth floor of their apartment building with groceries and a toddler in tow. She also has a backyard with plenty of room for her sons to play, while she works on planting a garden. Emerald says that home ownership means waking up every day and not worrying about the future. Owning a home has given Emerald peace of mind. Although owning a home comes with responsibility, she sleeps well at night knowing that she is up for the challenge. She no longer experiences anxiety about moving or rent increases. Emerald enjoys cooking in her kitchen and is excited to purchase a grill for summer barbeques. She also enjoys the time she spends volunteering at ReStore, where she has gained valuable experience and friendships. Emerald has noticed changes in her children since moving into their home over nine months ago. They are calmer, and she has noticed her oldest son, Calem, recognizes that their new home is his home. He has taken to calling it “10”. He remembers their unit number and often says, “Bye, 10, I’m coming back”, when they leave for the day. Emerald appreciates everyone who helped her become a homeowner, and she encourages anyone who might be considering Habitat home ownership to take a leap of faith. If she had the option to redo her home ownership journey again, she would choose Habitat every time. View our available homes and apply for homeownership.

Habitat for Humanity came on Jim Matheson’s radar while living in Singapore, where he learned that student and teachers were building homes for widows in Cambodia. He admired Habitat’s impact in communities where adequate housing was desperately needed. After retiring from a career in accounting, Jim moved back to Edmonton and inquired about volunteering abroad with Habitat Edmonton. He was directed to Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Global Village Program, where Jim spent the next 17 years volunteering in countries all over the world. In between Global Village trips, Jim volunteered in Edmonton with Habitat. His experience in accounting led him on special projects for Habitat. He gathered and analyzed information about construction costs and practices, developed an inventory system for Habitat’s construction tools, and then began fixing worn or broken tools. Additionally, Jim volunteered on a number of build sites in Spruce Grove, St. Albert, and Edmonton. His volunteer work was ever changing, and Jim was eventually led to ReStore last year. Every Thursday, Jim repairs donated products such as lighting fixtures, furniture, and of course, tools. From volunteers to staff, he relishes meeting and learning about the many interesting people he volunteers alongside. Jim appreciates that they see beyond the job and are committed to Habitat’s goal and values. Jim chose to dedicate 17 years of his life to Habitat because we serve a distinct need in our community across the globe. Jim has lived in New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, and the United States, and estimates he has visited over 60 countries. During his work and travels he has seen people who would benefit from safe, stable, and affordable homes. Habitat helps Jim utilize his time and abilities to provide those in need with a hand-up. Jim also likes that Habitat promotes hands-on volunteer work, so homeowners understand that their home was built from the love and support of volunteers, donors, and staff, often resulting in a strong connection to the home they now own. Habitat is grateful to Jim for his commitment to helping families build strength, stability, and independence. Jim has given 4,278 hours to Habitat since 2006, and has participated in 14 trips to build homes overseas through Habitat Canada’s Global Village program. Volunteers like Jim continue to be instrumental in helping us serve those in need of affordable home ownership.

Meet Edgar, one of our wonderful ReStore volunteers! Although he has volunteered with Habitat Edmonton for 19 years, Edgar’s desire to help those in need began much earlier. Before Habitat, Edgar travelled frequently with his church to volunteer. For three weeks at a time, Edgar visited the United States to help families rebuild their homes lost to fires or floods. Eventually, Edgar’s giving nature led him to Habitat for Humanity’s work in his home community of Edmonton. Edgar’s first volunteer experience with Habitat Edmonton was over 19 years ago. Since then, he has worked on several builds such as the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Although he originally volunteered on construction sites, Edgar became a dedicated ReStore volunteer 4 years ago. He first volunteered at ReStore when travel to a build site became difficult. Edgar decided to give ReStore a try instead, and says he is glad he did. Although he has transitioned from build sites to ReStore, Edgar’s desire to support those around him stays strong. He volunteers at ReStore because he enjoys serving people and meeting so many interesting, fun, and unique people. Edgar remembers volunteering with a homeowner who was struggling to meet her volunteer hours. As they got to know each other, he encouraged her to bring her family and friends from church to help meet her hours, but she was hesitant to ask for help. Edgar personally reached out to her church and asked if they would consider helping the homeowner. They agreed, and in only two days, over 200 volunteer hours were completed for her. Edgar has touched the lives of countless people throughout his time at Habitat. Receiving hugs from homeowners is not uncommon for Edgar, many who thank him for his support. Like those homeowners, we too, are grateful for Edgar’s dedication over the years.  Learn how you can become a ReStore volunteer like Ed!

In their cozy home in Habitat’s Neufeld Landing development, you can find Amanda and her daughter, Hailey-Lynn, relaxing. Since July 2022, Amanda has owned her own home, and she could not be happier.  Amanda was at her wits end with renting and was tired of the uncertainties and complications she experienced. However, she struggled to find an alternative that was affordable, and was unaware of a path that could take her from renting to owning. One day, Amanda’s friend and former roommate suggested Habitat for Humanity, and encouraged her to look into becoming a Habitat homeowner.  Amanda wasted no time and immediately started researching to learn more about the Habitat program and if she might be eligible. As she searched through the available homes on the website, Amanda found herself regularly returning to homes at Neufeld Landing. The 64 home development caught her eye, and Amanda decided that this was where she wanted to live. Although she said the application process was straightforward, she grew nervous once she officially sent in her application. Only three months later, Amanda received an exciting call. She would become a homeowner. When she and Hailey-Lynn heard the good news, they were ecstatic. Amanda immediately jumped in their car and drove to Neufeld Landing to show Hailey-Lynn their new home and neighborhood. One of the first things her daughter did was ride her bike around the neighborhood. After they moved in, Amanda and Hailey-Lynn wasted no time making the home their own. For the first time in their lives, they painted their bathroom, bedrooms, and living room exactly the way they wanted. Amanda loves her neighborhood, and she appreciates her friendly neighbours, and the ease of travel to nearby amenities. While their old home kept them warm, it was gloomy and dark, and Amanda often felt depressed. It was also unaffordable, and she spent so much on rent each month that she was unable to save for her daughter’s future. Now, Amanda pays significantly less each month, and is able to study for a career in accounting and payroll. Unlike their rental house, Amanda’s Habitat home is open and full of light. She is happy; the home is cozy and comfortable, and requires much less cleaning. Amanda enjoys simply caring for her front steps, yard, and backway. Hailey-Lynn’s school is much closer, and she enjoys taking the bus to and from school each day. She often visits the mall with her friends, something difficult not too long ago. The neighbourhood is much quieter, and both Amanda and Hailey-Lynn enjoy having respectful neighbours. To Amanda, home ownership means security and independence. It means she has financial freedom and stability, and she does not worry about rental increases. As a single mom, Amanda is grateful for Habitat and the opportunity to own a long-term home. She thanks everyone who helped her with the process of applying for a home. Amanda says Hailey-Lynn is also grateful for the support they received, and often says she loves her new home and never ever wants to move. Learn more about how you can become a homeowner.

Amanda knew about Habitat for Humanity for many years, but it was not until she moved to Edmonton that she became interested in owning her own home through Habitat. While in Edmonton, Amanda learned about the 2017 Carter Build. At this build, former US President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter helped build a total of 58 homes in what is known today as Carter Place. When she heard about the build, Amanda began dreaming of owning a home there. She cautiously applied to be a home owner, but her application was not successful at the time.   Despite this set back, Amanda did not give up on her dream of home ownership. After five more years, she decided she was ready, and re-applied. When she visited the website to view available homes, she was thrilled to see a five bedroom apartment available in Carter Place. She immediately filled out an application and anxiously awaited the news. Shortly after applying, Amanda learned she was approved as a Habitat homeowner. “Learning I was approved was almost overwhelming in a way,” says Amanda. “[Homeownership] was something I had been dreaming of for so many years, and I didn’t think it would happen. It was a dream come true.” In August 2022, Amanda and her two children moved into their home at Carter Place. This home differed from their last in a number of ways. While their previous home was old and needed many repairs, their Habitat home is outfitted with newer appliances. Their old home was drafty, and keeping the space warm meant higher utility bills. Their Habitat home is warm, and better insulation now means lower utility costs. In their old home, the rooms were small and they did not have much space. Now, Amanda now has an office, her daughter has more space in her room, and her son enjoys having the basement to himself. Since moving, Amanda has noticed changes in her children. She says her son, Jayden, was withdrawn and isolated at their old home, and frequently stayed in his room. Now, Jayden’s confidence has increased. He now has a full time job and is looking forward to a post-secondary education. Amanda’s daughter, Bella, loves her larger room, and enjoys decorating her space as she pleases. Like her daughter, Amanda too customizes her home, and is looking forward to installing a raised garden in their front yard this summer.  To Amanda, home ownership means family. She knows she can keep her children safe and secure, and is confident now that she has a home to call her own. Although Amanda was not successful when she first applied for Habitat home ownership, she worked hard to achieve her dream. She encourages anyone considering Habitat home ownership to apply. “Even if it’s a ‘no’ at first, it just means not yet,” she says. View available homes at Carter Place and more; https://hfh.org/available-homes/

Bill and Ted are two of our wonderful ReStore volunteers, and over the years, they have formed a strong friendship. Ted first volunteered with Habitat when he received a letter in the mail requesting volunteers for a build site. He was interested and thought he might try it out for a week. Two weeks turned into three, and by the end of the build, he was volunteering full time. From build sites to constructing ReStore South, Ted has volunteered in all corners of our organization for over 20 years. Bill also began volunteering with Habitat through a build site. He heard about the opportunity through a neighbor and jumped on board. Like Ted, Bill has volunteered on many projects and has been a Habitat volunteer for 15 years. Although Bill and Ted did not know each other prior to volunteering with Habitat, they quickly formed a close friendship when they met. They estimate they have spent a total of 15 years together. Rain or shine, these two helped build many homes, such as the 64 home development called Neufeld Landing. They recently began volunteering at ReStore South, and enjoy coming in weekly. They assemble donated product in the warehouse, where Ted says every day is like Christmas. Many donations arrive in unmarked boxes, and it is up to Bill and Ted to discover what the donation is and how to assemble it. Most recently, they completed an Ikea bed which took three days to assemble! Although Ted was a chemistry professor at the University of Alberta, he said he finds more satisfaction in his volunteer work, and he enjoys the challenges he faces at ReStore. Bill, too, enjoys the variety of activities at ReStore, and he likes learning new skills. The two of them agree that each person they meet at ReStore is kind, and they enjoy spending time with staff and volunteers. It is thanks to dedicated volunteers like Bill and Ted that Habitat Edmonton is able to bring affordable home ownership to those who need it. Learn more about volunteering at ReStore.

Fartun and her children moved into their Habitat home in December 2021, and over the past year, home ownership has transformed their life. Before Habitat, Fartun and her children lived in an unsafe neighborhood. Fartun was so concerned for her children’s safety that she quit her job in health care and began driving a bus so she could keep a closer eye on her children. When they were not at school, Fartun would bring her children to accompany her as she drove her routes. Today, Fartun says she lives in heaven. She left her job as a bus driver and is studying for a career in family counselling. She once again works in health care and is confident knowing her children are safe when she is not at home. Fartun often visits the library to study, and is at ease knowing her children are in a safe neighborhood. Although Fartun’s original application for affordable home ownership was not successful, she did not give up. For the next three years, Fartun worked hard to improve her credit and increase her income, and reapplied for home ownership in 2021. Her hard work paid off, and only two days after her second application, Fartun received the good news. “The day I applied I gathered all my family and asked them to keep their fingers crossed,” says Fartun. “Everyone wished me luck and said ‘if it’s meant to be yours it will be yours.’ When I found out I was approved, tears were streaming down my face. I was over the moon.” Fartun now has a safe home where her children can grow, and this change is noticeable in her children. They are much happier and enjoy walking to school each morning. They now have hopes and dreams, and talk about going to university and one day buying their own home. For Fartun, being a homeowner has provided her with a sense of belonging. She now has a home to call her own and is moving forward in life. Fartun is grateful to everyone who helped her become a homeowner.   “Habitat makes dreams come true and helps families find homes they have always dreamed of,” says Fartun. “My family and I, even my mother, cousins, nieces and nephews, know how grateful I am. They even say ‘thank God for Habitat.’” Fartun encourages anyone looking for affordable home ownership to maintain hope and not give up. Please donate today in support of Habitat Homeownership.

Paul is a talented and dedicated volunteer who has supported Habitat Edmonton in many ways throughout the years. Paul began his journey with Habitat over five years ago while volunteering in construction. In 2017, Paul volunteered with the construction team to help build the ReStore at 4004 99 street, transforming ReStore South into the store it is today. Around this time, Paul was winding down his career in Mechanical Engineering. With extra time on his hands, Paul decided to continue on with ReStore, and he now volunteers weekly at the very store he helped to build! Today, you can find Paul hard at work in the warehouse, where he spends his time testing and repairing various donations from lawn mowers to lights. Contributing to and engaging with his community is important to Paul, and he finds that ReStore is a great place to so. Each day, he interacts with volunteers, many of which are partner families. Paul finds these individuals eager to learn, and throughout the day, he teaches them skills and knowledge they can put to use in their homes. Paul likes to take a common item and explain how it’s made, what the potential hazards are and how it can be used. For some, this information interests them, and he hopes that learning these skills might open up avenues of study or interest. In exchange for his teachings, Paul learns about the many volunteers he works with, often having fun and building friendships along the way. We are grateful to have such a wonderful person on our team. Next time you donate an item to ReStore, Paul just might be the one tinkering with it in the warehouse!

Habitat for Humanity’s work in our community would not be possible without help from our generous partners. Thanks to their support, Habitat Edmonton can help families gain control of their future, so they can build strength, stability and independence. The REALTORS® Community Foundation is a partner who continues to support Habitat Edmonton, so we can help families across northern Alberta achieve affordable home ownership. On January 16, 2023, at the annual REALTORS® Housing Forecast, the REALTORS Community Foundation presented Habitat Edmonton with a cheque. This donation means Habitat Edmonton can continue to give families a hand-up, so they can open doors to strength, stability and independence. In 2022 alone, we helped over 40 families move into their new homes, and thanks to generous partners like the REALTORS® Community Foundation, we will continue to help families find affordable home ownership in 2023. REALTORS® Community Foundation and Realtors are doing incredible work in our community, and we are excited to partner with them on an upcoming project. Details about this project will be announced in the future, as we prepare for the build in spring.

Before Habitat, Angela and her son, Cobus, lived in an apartment building where they did not feel safe. Although Angela had two jobs and worked hard to save money, she found herself unable to save for a house. With rent much too high and a down payment out of reach, Angela was stuck, and worried she would never be able to afford a safe and stable home. One day, Angela heard about Habitat for Humanity’s affordable home ownership program. She was surprised to hear that the program was offered in her community of Grande Prairie, and jumped at the opportunity to apply. She was relieved when she learned she was approved, and a weight was lifted off her shoulders. When Angela and Cobus moved into their new home in November 2021, it felt surreal. “We walked in and it smelt new and everything looked brand new,” said Angela. “We looked at each other like ‘we live here now!’” Cobus kept asking if this was their house, and she reassured him that this was in fact theirs. Angela and her son now have a backyard to enjoy summers, and a basement for storage. They also have a garage with a work table and table saw, where Angela enjoys woodworking in her spare time. Most importantly, they feel safe and secure. Angela doesn’t worry about her future, and she enjoys the freedom of home ownership. They are now able to paint their rooms the colour they want and decorate their backyard as they please. Since moving into their new home, Angela has also noticed that Cobus has changed. He is more relaxed and sleeps well at night. Angela says that owning her own home changed her life, and she has encouraged those in a similar situation to hers to apply for Habitat home ownership. She is grateful for the support she has received, and thanks everyone who helped her become a homeowner. Please donate today in support of Habitat Homeownership.

Meet Tracey and Farrah, ReStore’s talented Staging Volunteers. Although the two began volunteering at ReStore a short three months ago, they have already had a huge impact. This skilled duo volunteer at ReStore North to arrange various items into beautifully staged masterpieces that display the potential of well-loved furniture. Tracey has supported Habitat Edmonton many times in the past by volunteering on Habitat build sites, but never at a ReStore. She decided to change that, and had just completed her first shift at ReStore when she noticed a request for Staging Volunteers in Habitat’s monthly volunteer newsletter. With a history in furniture staging, Tracey jumped at the opportunity and applied for the position. Farrah, on the other hand, is a long-time ReStore shopper with experience purchasing and staging items in her own home. She quickly applied for the staging position when it became available.   Both Tracey and Farrah’s favourite part of volunteering at ReStore is the people with whom they get to interact. They have received warm support from volunteers and staff at each ReStore they visit, and they feel right at home. Tracey and Farrah also enjoy chatting with ReStore customers about their favorite items, and help them find the right pieces for their home. Although Tracey and Farrah had never met each other prior to their staging positions, they love volunteering together at ReStore. They find each other admiring the same items and having fun as they rework ReStore items into staged pieces. We are thrilled to have Tracey and Farrah on the Habitat volunteer team, and we can’t wait to see their exciting future creations. Stop by ReStore North at 8210 Yellowhead Trail to see Tracey and Farrah’s fantastic work! 

Donna Pryor is one of the smiling faces you’ll see when walking into the Habitat Edmonton office. With a great skill set and a passion for Habitat’s charitable work, Donna is a valued volunteer. She is always willing to lend her hands and ideas to staff and those who visit and are looking for information. For many years Donna has supported Habitat Edmonton and, when she retired, she decided to support us more directly. One day, while reading through our monthly newsletter, she noticed a request for an office volunteer. With extra time on her hands, she decided to put her skills to good use, and applied for the position. In 2021, Donna began volunteering at our front desk, and since then she has volunteered every Wednesday and Thursday.  Donna’s friendly demeanor and experience makes her a perfect fit for the office. She is often found on the phone helping families who are looking into Habitat’s homeownership program, or offering a smile to all who walk through our doors. Perhaps Donna’s favorite part of volunteering for Habitat is that she knows that she is having a positive impact on her community. She believes in Habitat’s mission and enjoys helping families in her community gain access to affordable homeownership. “It’s so nice to be here,” says Donna. “Giving back is a big part of why I wanted to volunteer. It’s nice to answer the phones and talk to people who are looking for homes. It’s nice to be able to help them through it.” Donna’s help is invaluable, and we are so lucky to have her continued support.