2021 saw record number of submissions to Habitat for Humanity Canada Meaning of Home writing contest
In a year when our homes played venue to online classrooms, boardrooms, milestones and mundane moments alike, Habitat for Humanity Canada was interested in hearing the answer to the question, what does home mean to you? Over 12,000 kids answered the call, making the 2021 annual Meaning of Home writing contest that encourages students in grades 4, 5 and 6 to share what home means to them through a poem or short essay, a record year in terms of number of submissions received. This year’s Meaning of Home contest also raised a record of $300,000 for local Habitat for Humanity organizations across Canada.
Every year, there are three grand prize winners, one from each grade, who win a $30,000 grant towards their local Habitat for Humanity build, and nine runners up who win a $10,000 grant towards their local Habitat. Additionally, each student entry also earns a $10 donation for their local Habitat. These much-needed funds will go towards building homes for families in need of a safe and secure place to call home.
Grand Prize Winners:
Annika K. from Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the Grade 4 grand prize winner and her $30,000 grant will be going to Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. Click here to read Annika’s winning entry “What is Home.”
Jake T. is the Grade 5 grand prize winner, from Montreal, Quebec. His $30,000 grant will go to Habitat for Humanity Quebec. Click here to see the illustrated book of Jake’s winning entry: “Home: a small word with big meaning.”
Kara T. is the Grade 6 grand prize winner, from Orangeville, Ontario, whose $30,000 grant will help build homes with Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin. Click here to read Kara’s winning entry: “What home means to me”.
Click here to watch the grand prize winners reading their entries.
“It is incredibly inspiring to see the number of young children across Canada who feel passionately about the need for everyone to have a safe and decent place to call home,” says Julia Deans, CEO and President, Habitat for Humanity Canada. “The entries were outstanding and we’re so grateful to the teachers and parents who brought this important writing contest to Canadian students and helped fuel the important work Habitat for Humanity does across Canada.”
The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of founding sponsor, SagenTM (formerly known as Genworth Canada) and award sponsors Revera and Swiffer. Thanks to their investments, students have an opportunity to give back to their communities in an engaging and meaningful way.
“During a time where we’ve all been spending so much time at home, it’s never been more relevant to engage kids on issues like affordable housing through our annual Meaning of Home contest,” said Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen. “Once again, I’m amazed by the talent and commitment of students who’ve submitted their stories and I’m overwhelmed by the record-breaking number of submissions and funds raised. It’s never been more important to have kids involved and creating positive change in their communities.”
To read all the winning entries, please visit: meaningofhome.ca/winners-2021.
Runners up Grade 4:
| Alexandra R. | Habitat Vancouver Island North |
| Isla V. | Habitat Victoria |
| Mya W. | Habitat Halton-Mississauga-Dufferin |
Runners up Grade 5:
| Morgan J. | Habitat Greater Ottawa |
| Emma M. | Habitat Peterborough & Kawartha Region |
| Ella C-W. | Habitat Greater Ottawa |
Runners up Grade 6:
| Lacey C. | Habitat Newfoundland & Labrador |
| Castin B. | Habitat Ontario Gateway North |
| Olivia G. | Habitat Peterborough & Kawartha Region |
Habitat for Humanity Canada’s model of affordable housing helps families in need of housing buy their own home. Habitat homeowners volunteer up to 500 hours and pay an affordable mortgage geared to their income, helping them build a strong foundation and the financial stability to help plan for their children’s futures.
Teachers or parents who are interested in having their Grade 4, 5 or 6 students participate can access an educational module online at meaningofhome.ca that includes writing tips and information on affordable housing issues in Canada. Submission for the 2022 Meaning of Home contest will be open in January 2022.