Toronto Faith Leaders unite for Habitat for Humanity Build in Scarborough
Fifteen families in the Greater Toronto Area will have safe, decent, and affordable housing, thanks in part to the Faith 150 Build.
More than 30 leaders from a variety of religious backgrounds gathered at the Habitat for Humanity GTA East-End Toronto build-site at 140 Pinery Rd in Scarborough on Wednesday for a special day of volunteering for the construction.
Faith in Canada 150, a program of think tank Cardus, organized the effort in partnership with Habitat for Humanity GTA.
“Canada has a rich faith heritage that we’re celebrating in this 150th anniversary year,” said Ray Pennings, executive vice president of Cardus.
“Through Faith in Canada 150 we’ve been able to build friendships across religious lines, and now we’re seeing a tangible expression of that in building the common good through the provision of housing.”
Toronto’s faith communities won’t stop at one day of building by their leaders, however.
Members of various faith communities will gather at the same site on October 25th to continue volunteering on the construction of the units.
On October 26th, a Women of Faith build is planned at 140 Pinery Rd. site.
By 2019, the site’s stacked townhouses will become home to 50 working, low-income families.
“The spirit of multiple peoples with differing beliefs and traditions coming together in peace, friendship and shared responsibility sets a wonderful backdrop for Faith 150 builds,” said Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GTA.
“Beyond the physical building of Habitat homes for families that will occur over these three days, this time together will enable us to build new relationships and deeper understanding around the fundamental right of everyone – to a safe, decent place to call home.”
“We believe sincerely that what we are doing here is enhancing the lives of Canadians and we are also demonstrating that there is a real sense among religious leaders of how you enact your faith,” noted Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to express our faith,” added Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi. “It embodies the ideals of how we can coexist.”
Habitat for Humanity GTA’s model of affordable home ownership provides a hand up for working, low-income families with the opportunity to become Habitat home owners.
Habitat does not give away free homes – families pay an interest-free Habitat for Humanity mortgage geared to their income and volunteer 500 hours with Habitat for Humanity GTA on their build sites and ReStore.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is a non-profit housing organization that brings communities together to help working, low-income families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.
With the support of donors and volunteers, Habitat GTA builds homes alongside partner families. Since 1988, Habitat GTA has built homes for more than 330 families, including over 1,000 children.
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