KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY National Student Writing Contest Raises Funds For Habitat For Humanity Windsor-Essex

Since2007, students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 have shared what home means to them in the Meaning Of Home Contest, which is now accepting entries for the 2023 installment. Students across the country are invited (at no charge) to submit a poem or essay explaining what home means to them, by mail or online at: MeaningOfHome.ca, until February 24, 2023

Every student entering the contest helps Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex build safe and affordable homes, because every entry earns a $10 donation towards their local Habitat for Humanity.

Three grand prize winners will each receive a $30,000 grant to help a local Habitat for Humanity build a place to call home, for a family in need of affordable housing.

In addition, nine runners-up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity.

Winners will be announced by June.

Housing continues to be an important concern for all Canadians, including children, who understand how housing can provide their family with a safe place — a place to study, pursue their dreams and build a better life.

Families in the Windsor Essex region have never had more difficulty accessing safe, affordable housing.

“Entering the Meaning of Home Contest is a very real way for youth to feel empowered, and students are truly helping to move the needle on the local housing crisis,” says Fiona Coughlin, CEO of

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex. “This year every entry will be supporting the construction of homes in both Ford City and Sandwich Towne, providing essential construction materials to build homes with five local families.”

Coughlin notes that past participation from Windsor Essex students in this contest has provided more than $30,000 in support of local construction of homes, with families in core-housing need.

Founded by Sagen (Sagen.ca), the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $2 million to help local Habitats across Canada build decent and affordable housing.

Last year, over 13,000 entries were received — the largest number of submissions Habitat Canada has ever received for this contest — and over $311,000 was raised.

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex is a non-profit community service organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

For more information visit the website: HabitatWindsor.org.