Why Donate to a Charity?

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Why Donate to a Charity? 

Donating to charity will do more than help your favourite cause; giving can also provide you with many personal benefits. Whether you donate to our charity or another charity of your choice, charities need help to continue their selfless initiatives.

Here is why we believe people in our communities donate to their charity of choice:

FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO DONATING

Donating to charity can save you money come tax time! When you donate to a registered charity in Canada, you receive a tax receipt. You can submit it with your annual tax return to receive a tax credit of up to 53 percent of your donation. A significant contribution could mean big tax savings, which is a fantastic reason why giving back!

IT STARTS WITH THE KIDS

Teaching children to care about others is essential! Showing kids that you can be a hero to someone else in need is invaluable! Children who watch you donate your money or time will grow up knowing that giving back is the right thing to do and might follow in your footsteps.

GIVING = HAPPINESS 

Giving connects us to others, creates stronger communities and helps to build a happier society for everyone. Helping others not only makes us happier and healthier, but it is also good for the recipient. Donating to an important charity helps them continue their vital work and improve your emotional well-being. You don’t have to give money. You can give your time, ideas, and energy. I bet you can see now how this is a win-win situation!

BENEFITS OF DONATING YOUR TIME

If you cannot contribute financially to a charity but are looking for other ways to give back, consider volunteering your time instead. You can meet new people, learn new skills to add to your resume or complete necessary community hours. You can also get involved in the community that supports your favourite cause. For example, if you attend a fundraising event for your favourite charity, you’ll meet new, like-minded people who care about the same cause.

You could also donate your time to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore!

SHOWING GRATITUDE

When you choose to support a charity, you are showing gratitude. You can also inspire others to give by posting your kind action on social media to inspire others to give generously.

WAYS TO GIVE TO HABITAT SASKATCHEWAN

There are so many ways to give to a charity, but first, you want to get familiar with each one to choose what is right for you.

The ways that you can donate to Habitat Saskatchewan are as follows:

  1. Monthly Giving –You can significantly impact our community while making less impact on your wallet. Your convenient and automatic monthly donation helps us plan long-term, budget more efficiently and create more life-changing outcomes. Monthly donations can be any amount that is affordable and meaningful to you and can be changed at any time. For some people, that is $5 a month and for others, $200 a month.
  2.  Legacy Giving –A legacy gift in your will is a simple way to help more families in need of safe and decent housing. You can leave cash or real estate securities. Leaving a legacy gift is the most efficient way to significantly contribute to a charity and ease the burden of your future estate. Legacy gifts can be given in two ways. First, you can leave a lump-sum cash amount to an organization of your choice. These gifts are given separately when you pass away and are not included in your residual estate (everything that’s left after debts/taxes are paid and specific gifts are distributed). Instead of or in addition to leaving a set amount, you may leave a percentage of your residual (remaining) estate to a charity. With planned giving in Canada, the organization will receive the cash value of the distribution you gave them from your overall estate. While a charitable cash gift will remain constant over time, a percentage of your residual estate can grow over time, resulting in a higher potential donation to the charity of your choice.
  3.  Gift of Securities through Canada Helps –By donating publicly traded securities, you eliminate the capital gains tax you would have to pay if you sold the securities and then donated the proceeds. You will also receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation. You can give now or as part of your Estate and Will planning. Donations of securities can now be made through Canada Helps. It is an easy and tax-advantageous way to help Habitat Saskatchewan serve more families. To transfer securities to us, simply visit Canada Helps online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/habitatsask/.
  4. Donate your car – Donate a Car Canada accepts vehicle donations for Habitat Saskatchewan. Free towing is provided in most areas across Canada, or you can drop off your vehicle to maximize your donation. When you donate your car, truck, RV, boat, or motorcycle to us through Donate A Car Canada, it will either be recycled or sold at auction (depending on its condition, age, and location). Donate a Car Canada will look after all the details to make it easy for Habitat Saskatchewan to benefit. After your vehicle donation is complete, our charity will send you a tax receipt and will put your gift to good use. Visit Car Canada’s website https://donatecar.ca/.
  5. Donate to a ReStore – By donating to one of our three ReStores (Regina, Saskatoon or Prince Albert), you are helping up achieve our purpose. We can then help more families in need of low-income housing opportunities. When you donate to a ReStore, the proceeds go to building homes for more families in need. You can visit the ReStore Donations section of our website to find out more at https://habitatsaskatchewan.ca/restore/donate/.

When you choose to donate to Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan, you are donating to a local charity which provides families with a safe home, renewed self-confidence and a sense of hope. You are not just providing bricks and mortar to help us build a house for a family in need. You are giving families a hand up to live a better, safer, more successful life.

We rely on gifts from individuals like you, corporations, and other groups to help families needing decent and affordable homes throughout Saskatchewan. Your donation will become part of our revolving building fund, so your donation will continue to give.

Donations of any amount are deeply appreciated!  You can donate to us by going to our website here: https://habitatsaskatchewan.ca/donate/

Thank you for choosing Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan as your charity of choice!

#beahero #donatetoday #helpingfamilies #community #support #donate #Habitatsask

Meaning of Home Contest

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As seen on Habitat Canada’s news story https://habitat.ca/en/news:

Since 2007, students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 have shared what home means to them in a national writing contest that is now open and accepting entries. Submissions are being accepted by mail or online at meaningofhome.ca from today until February 24, 2023.

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. Every student who enters the contest will help local Habitat for Humanity organizations across Canada build safe and affordable homes. Every student 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.

Founded by SagenTM, 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 raised over $311,000.

The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of Founding Sponsor SagenTM and Awards Sponsors Urban Systems Foundation, Face to Face Games, and Home Trust.

Online Auction Fundraiser for 10th Build in Yorkton!

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Don’t miss out!

Our Habitat Yorkton Chapter has an online auction fundraiser to help raise proceeds to build our 10th home in Yorkton from February 6th-11th. Take a look at their auction page to view all of the amazing prizes to be won and to place your bids. The online auction can be found here.

By bidding on the items, you are helping a family build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.  The families we serve in Yorkton depend on people within our community across Saskatchewan for Habitat to build them a safe place to call home.  You don’t necessarily have to live in Yorkton to help out that community, as Habitat builds in many different locations across Saskatchewan and welcomes the help of all people. 

I am sure you have heard the saying, “it takes a village,” and not only does it take a village, but it takes time, especially when our non-profit organization is spread so far!

The pandemic made it painfully clear how important it is to have a safe and decent home and that far too many people don’t have the homes they need.  As we face continued economic and societal uncertainty, it is more important than ever that we help lift each other up. But we are also at a pivotal moment for housing affordability in this country, and we must harness to implement solutions that result in more families having safe and affordable places to call home.

Our housing crisis needs all hands on deck, not just the Government’s hands but people in our communities as well.  This is the time to move forward together and help create housing solutions for the low-income individuals and families who are counting on us. Let’s do this together!

You can check out Habitat for Humanity Yorkton’s Facebook page to see all of the great things they are doing as a volunteer group for Habitat Saskatchewan at https://www.facebook.com/YorktonHabitat.

Thank you for continuing to support charities that help families in need!  Your contributions do not go unnoticed!

Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan is Seeking Board Members

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Join our Board!

Be part of a dynamic volunteer group of highly talented, dedicated, and accomplished individuals from a variety of relevant sectors, who are committed to helping Habitat Saskatchewan accomplish its mission.

Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan is currently seeking interested individuals to join our volunteer Board of Directors. Habitat Saskatchewan provides opportunities for working low-income families to access safe, decent, and affordable housing through homeownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty in Saskatchewan. The Board of Directors helps to set the direction and attract resources to enable Habitat Saskatchewan to broaden its impact.

Are you interested in becoming a member?

We are currently looking for up to three new Directors to join our provincial board. The ideal candidates we are looking for are, as follows:

  • Current non-profit board experience
  • Well-established in the community and a “connector” able to open doors in the business community
  • Respected in your field
  • Skills sets required: Finance, legal, banking, and business

We value Diversity and Inclusion!

Habitat Saskatchewan values diversity and inclusion and is a key to our success which is reflected in our largely diverse community of Habitat families.  We believe that diversity and inclusion is our responsibility, and we are open to creating a more diverse volunteer board. Diversity to Habitat Saskatchewan not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and many other parts of one’s identity. All our employees’ and board members’ points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.

If you are interested in gaining more information about the volunteer opportunity or to apply, please contact board@habitatsask.ca.

 

New Survey Findings Reveal Attitudes on Homeownership and the Housing Affordability Crisis

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Habitat for Humanity Canada has released the results of a new national survey revealing Canadians’ attitudes towards the affordable housing crisis in Canada and sheds light on the growing barriers to housing and homeownership. The Habitat for Humanity Canada Affordable Housing Survey, which measured the perceptions of Canadian homeowners and renters, also sheds light on the growing concerns and barriers to homeownership including lack of housing supply, increased cost of living, discrimination, NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) sentiment and more.

Habitat Canada’s Affordable Housing Survey finds housing affordability is a top concern for Canadians – the third most important issue facing the country today behind inflation and healthcare.

“This survey underscores how deeply concerned Canadians are about their housing situations and futures as affordable housing becomes increasingly out of reach,” says Julia Deans, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “To address these growing concerns and make affordable housing and homeownership a reality for all Canadians, we need an all-in approach from non-profits, corporate partners, individuals and all levels of government.” Click here to read the media release.

“In our work, we see firsthand how access to stable housing transforms futures and fosters resiliency across generations,” says Deans. “We must act now, and we must act together towards addressing the systemic barriers and creating sustainable solutions to achieve affordable housing for all.”

Click here to read more about Habitat Canada’s housing solutions.

About the survey

Habitat for Humanity Canada commissioned Leger’s online panel to survey 1501 Canadians between September 7th and September 17th, 2022. A probability sample of 1501 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 2.

A Habitat Family Story

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Ta and Sah Blu tell us how they feel about becoming a Habitat partner family.  Please watch the video to get a tidbit about their story https://youtu.be/B2dpevbxh8s.

In the details below they give us a better understanding of what they went through in their life which is very compelling.  Partnering with this family and giving them the opportunity at homeownership was a no-brainer for Habitat Saskatchewan.

This is what Ta and Sah Blu wanted to share about their story:

“Forced to leave behind everything we knew, we escaped from the civil war in Myanmar. Displaced from our homes, we dreamed of growing roots again. Like you, we wanted the opportunity to build a normal life – have a job, own a home, and start a family.

After 14 long years in the refugee camp, one of our applications to immigrate to Canada was accepted and the other to the USA.  We were thrilled to be finally leaving the refugee camp, but now we were going to be separated from each other.

We never gave up on each other or the plans we had made. Our commitment to our dream kept us strong and we were reunited five years later.  We were so relieved to be together again, even if it meant sharing a small home with our parents and many siblings. There wasn’t much space for 10 people in the modest house, and soon there would be even less space as we were expecting our first child, Michelle.

When Michelle turned two years old, our second daughter, Milda, was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. Most children with spina bifida have some weakness or paralysis in their legs. Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid around the brain, which squashes surrounding brain tissue. In some cases, this can cause spasms and brain damage.

Much of our hard-earned savings would have to go toward getting the equipment that Milda needed to grow and play comfortably. It seemed like owning a home would never be possible.

When we heard about Habitat’s homeownership program, we knew it would be just the little bit of support we needed to stand on our own, and we needed to get out of the house we were living in because it was not wheelchair accessible. It was amazing, when we met with Habitat, they told us they could help with our accessibility needs for Milda and could give us a chair lift as well.

We still remember the day we received the life-changing phone call. We had been accepted to become Habitat homeowners!

Knowing that our family will be safe, we never have to be apart again, and our kids will have the freedom to live their lives with security, means the world to us.  So, thank you so much for helping our family, our lives will be forever changed!”

We always have an opportunity to help someone like Ta and Sah Blu’s family.  There are many low-income families in Saskatchewan that are in need of a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.  The goal is to set these families up with a chance at homeownership in hopes that this will help their children be successful in their journey through life.

In order for us to continue to help families such as Ta and Sah Blu’s, our charity requires donations from the community, at our ReStores, and through organizations and corporate donations. Any donation big or small is appreciated and goes a long way – it takes a village!  If you feel connected to our mission and would like to donate to our organization, check out our donation section on our website https://habitatsaskatchewan.ca/donate/.

What if everyone in Canada had a safe and affordable place to call home?

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As seen on Habitat Canada’s news channel – https://habitat.ca/en/news: 

As we mark National Housing Day on November 22 and as the housing affordability crisis deepens and further divides Canadians, it is time for us to recognize that our communities are in trouble, with too many people struggling to stay properly housed.

Forty per cent of Canadians are concerned about being able to pay their rent or mortgage over the next 12 months, according to Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Affordable Housing Survey. And four in five worry about having to spend less on food, savings, transportation and/or debt payments to pay for the roof over their heads.

Looking at generational differences, millennials are more than twice as likely as boomers to worry about paying rent or mortgages. Millennials make up the largest percentage of renters in Canada and they are the most pessimistic that Canada’s housing woes can be solved. That’s not too surprising, given that millennials are adults with young kids and established careers who expected that, by now, they would have the kinds of things their parents had – like an affordable home.

Now consider those most affected by the housing crisis – people who are finding it harder than ever to access stable, safe and affordable housing and put food on the table – and for whom homeownership has always been out of reach. Sixty-eight per cent of Canadian food bank users live in market rentals and, according to Food Banks Canada, they list housing costs as one of the top drivers of their food bank usage. It’s no wonder – the average rent in Canada was up 15.4 percent over the previous year, bringing the average monthly total to $2,024 a month.

Every aspect of the housing continuum – from homeless shelters to affordable housing, market rentals and homeownership – is under increasing strain, making it impossible for people to move along it. We must invest in all types of housing, and tackle the barriers to getting it built: zoning laws that don’t allow density and increased supply; municipal red tape that ties up developments, including affordable housing, for years; and the lack of affordable land. Municipalities that are increasing density, making it easier to build housing, and designating land for affordable housing will reap the benefits of having vibrant, prosperous and inclusive communities.

The issue of housing also divides neighbourhoods. Half of Canadians we asked felt that Not In My Backyard or NIMBY sentiment is one of the main barriers to making affordable housing available in neighborhoods, and 71 per cent agreed that ‘people worry about the impact of affordable housing on their property values and neighborhood’. Yet time and time again, studies show that well integrated affordable housing does not negatively affect property values and can actually benefit them. Canadians need to rethink their assumptions about what makes for a thriving neighbourhood and embrace the upsides of communities where everyone can live. After all, who wants to live in a place where vital and familiar services aren’t available because the staff they need have nowhere to live?

What Canadians do agree on is that housing matters. Let’s start there. We all need an affordable place to call home. And three-quarters of Canadians believe that more affordable housing could solve the social issues we are facing as a country. They’re right.  If we come together to address the housing crisis, we will be better positioned to solve other societal issues. Having access to a home with an affordable and stable cost – whether it is through rent or a mortgage – allows people to build financial stability. The experience of Habitat homeowners shows that when people no longer have to worry about whether to pay rent or put food on the table, they can focus on improving their economic opportunities, pursue additional education, and save for their child’s education. Knowing that 75 per cent of Canadians believe that too, is a hopeful sign that things will change.

We are a country of communities, and we all have a stake and a role to play in making our communities prosperous, welcoming, and inclusive, with safe and affordable homes for all. This is going to take an all-in approach from non-profits, businesses, and all levels of government, and the support and encouragement of individuals. We are all accountable for building better communities.

A better Canada begins with housing. And better housing begins with all of us.

Seasons Greetings from Habitat Saskatchewan Staff

Seasons Greeting from some of the staff at Habitat Saskatchewan!

Check out the link below to watch the video!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmZjhgZOeBn/?igshid=NWQ4MGE5ZTk%3D&fbclid=IwAR2UCTwN1V9NjR_FVjrAifjz8-mcCnhVRbx_YN8mZBcuTSgGayVoI_Vho4w

Holiday Hours Notice

Habitat Saskatchewan, including all ReStores and admin offices, will be CLOSED Saturday, December 24 through Monday, January 2.

We reopen admin & ReStores on Tuesday, January 3.

Happy Holidays from Habitat Saskatchewan

Happy holidays!

We wanted to thank everyone who has supported our charity and helped all of the families in need of safe, decent and affordable housing by giving you a fun ornament that you can print off and build your own Habitat home to add to your Christmas tree.

Directions on how to save and print off the ornament:

Please click on the image above and it will open up the ornament document, from there you will right-click and save it to your computer and then you will be able to print it off.

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No matter how you celebrate the holiday season, everyone can agree that this time of year should be a joyous and magical one for everyone in our community. You can be a part of the magic by donating today https://habitatsaskatchewan.ca/donate/

Thank you for your continued support!

One million reasons to celebrate 80 homes for 80 families! Watch the video for more!

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Homeownership enriches the lives of families in countless ways, just like it has helped Ramona and her family. Stable housing decreases transiency among children, who do better in school and lessens stress in adults, who are able to focus on advancing their future. We are proud to share the impact of Conexus Credit Union’s one-million-dollar partnership with us and how it has benefited 170 children from 57 homes across the province. There’s still more work to be done as we enter the final year of our partnership, and we look forward to working together to build safe and affordable homes for families in need.

Thank you Conexus Credit Union!

Habitat for Humanity hands over 17 units to new homeowners!

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Habitat for Humanity hands over 17 units to new homeowners!

“We were so happy and excited knowing that our family will be safe, and we never have to be a part again, and our kids will have the freedom to live their lives with security. It means the world to us.”

City councillor Terina Shaw (Ward 7) and Minister of Social Services Lori Carr also attended Monday’s event. Shaw spoke of how she empathizes with Moo and Ku, as she herself has experienced difficulty in finding and affording accessible housing. She said the story is “very dear to my heart.”

“I have a daughter with a wheelchair and, you know, just trying to find places that are accessible, trying to find the money to make things accessible was very, very difficult,” said Shaw.

During the announcement families living in the units came to join and take part in the announcement. People from all over the world are represented within the community. Children played on snowdrifts, parents spoke to one another and families sat and stood on the front steps leading to their homes.

“This seems to me like such a wonderful community. It’s not just a home, it’s a community,” said Shaw.

The project will see 62 families moved into homes that they will own. Denis Perrault, CEO HFH Saskatchewan, said the project, which started back in 2016, currently houses around 150 people.

Check out the full article here:

https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/habitat-for-humanity-hands-over-17-units-to-new-homeowners

ISC Gives us a big donation! Thank you so much!

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Habitat Saskatchewan is so grateful!
Thank you ISC for the current donation of $25,000! In total, ISC has given Habitat Saskatchewan $75,000 over 3 years and this final amount brings us so much JOY!!!
If it wasn’t for organizations like this, helping families in our communities across the province gain affordable housing would not be possible!
The more people give, the more homes we can build and the families we can serve! So, thank you so much for being a part of our mission and vision!