Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador has assisted almost 40 families – a combined number of more than 120 children – in becoming first-time homeowners. Habitat NL brings together community organizations, corporate sponsors, and people of all backgrounds to build hope, pride and homes for families who would otherwise not qualify for a conventional mortgage.
Habitat for Humanity – Clarenville Chapter was started in 2013 when a public meeting was held for interested community members. From the meeting, the steering committee was formed with current members being:

Alicia Norris – Chairperson
Colin Holloway (MHA Terra Nova) – Past Chairperson
Maisie Caines (CNA) – Secretary
Donna Malony-Brown – Treasurer
Adrienne Goodman – Fundraising Coordinator
Marilyn Greene – Food Coordinator
Tracey Coady (REACH) – Family Partnering Coordinator
Paula Roberts – Public Relations Coordinator
Paul Goodman – Project Manager

Habitat Clarenville decided to build a duplex that would provide two families the opportunity for safe and affordable housing. Habitat Clarenville began its build in August 2014 after the Town of Clarenville generously donated a building lot. The generosity continued with many local businesses and residents donating time, money and services throughout the duration of the build. In August 2015, two local families became first time home owners.

Habitat Clarenville hosted 18 build days from September 2014 to August 2015. There are 178 trained volunteers in the Clarenville Chapter database. In addition to public build days, there were also corporate build days. Companies such as Scotiabank, Green Eden, Hickman Nissan and Hebron participated donating their employees’ time and skill to our project.

A key partner in the Clarenville build is the College of the North Atlantic. The carpentry instructors and students spent numerous hours at the build site both while in school and on the weekends. The build would not have been as successful without this partnership.

In addition to the actual house construction, there were many other ways the community contributed to the Clarenville build:

• Each build day a local community group or church hosted the construction volunteers for a hearty lunch!
• Participating in Steering Committee Sub-committees
• Volunteers participated in fundraising initiatives such as selling tickets
• Soliciting for donations
• Recruiting volunteers

The local community also benefited from the Clarenville Build. In addition to bringing residents together to work towards a worthy cause, the Habitat Partner Families contributed to the community. The Partner Families have to contribute volunteer hours as equity for their mortgage. The Clarenville Partner Families did this by volunteering at the EEC, SPCA, Youthtube and other organizations.

Emergency Contacts
RCMP: 466-3211
Fire Department: 466-7777
Ambulance: 466-3468
Hospital: 466-3411
Poison Control: 1-800-722-1110
Mental Health Crisis: 1-888-737-4668

Photography by Paul Tilley.