**** Info via Meaning of Home
Halifax student’s heartwarming story about home is a runner-up in national writing contest
Grade 5 student wins a $10,000 grant for Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia
Today, Habitat for Humanity Canada is announcing the winners in Meaning of Home, a national writing contest where children from across Canada share heartwarming poems and stories about what home means to them.
Grade 5 student Sofia S. wins a $10,000 grant for Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia for her entry “Home Sweet Home.”
Across Canada, three deserving grand prize winners and nine runners-up have been chosen from 15,000 entries submitted by grade 4, 5 and 6 students. All the submissions are poignant reminders of the comfort and joy that a safe home creates for a child.
Everyone who entered earns a $10 donation to their local Habitat for Humanity with their submission. In addition, three grand prize winners receive a $30,000 grant for their local Habitat. Runners-up win a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat.
This year saw a record-breaking 1,651 entries from grade 4, 5 and 6 students in Nova Scotia. Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia received the second-highest number of supporting entries nationwide, amounting to $26,510.
“We are so impressed by Sofia’s heartfelt submission, which celebrates the magic of home in a beautifully expressive way,” says Donna Williamson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia. “This submission captures the essence of what we strive to help families in Nova Scotia achieve – owning a home where they can find comfort, connection and a sense of belonging. We are proud to have such talented and compassionate individuals like Sofia supporting our cause.”
“Too many Canadians don’t have access to a safe and affordable home — a universal need,” says Julia Deans, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “Through their thoughtful descriptions of the comfort and safety of a home, along with the laughter and love it contains, these students are showing us the meaning of home through a child’s eyes. Congratulations to all the winners for their beautiful submissions.”
“Since the Meaning of Home contest began in 2007, over 120,000 students have shared what home means to them. With the support of Sagen as founding sponsor, these students have raised $2.7 million to help more families in need of homes build stronger lives through housing,” says Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen. “It’s our privilege to support students in becoming caring citizens, and in providing safe and affordable homes for families.”
Through their entries, students have raised $327,000 this year for local Habitat for Humanity organizations, bringing the total raised through the Meaning of Home contest to $2.7 million since its inception in 2007.
The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of Founding Sponsor SagenTM and Award Sponsor Urban Systems Foundation.
To read all the winning entries, please visit meaningofhome.ca/page/winners2024.
