Moments of Joy: Three Families are Welcomed Home  

March was a month of celebration at Habitat for Humanity Manitoba as three families took the final step in their journey to homeownership at Pandora Avenue West. These key ceremonies were filled with joy, gratitude, and emotional moments as families stepped into their new homes for the very first time. 

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to: 

• Ifeyinwa and her three children, who will soon hold their own key ceremony in their new home. 

• Sergute and her daughter, marking the beginning of a new chapter. 

• Sahra and her family, finally achieving their dream of homeownership. 

Each ceremony was a testament to the power of community and the difference safe, affordable housing makes in the lives of families. Seeing the joy on their faces as they turned the key and walked through the door was a powerful reminder of why we build. 

To everyone who has supported our mission—our volunteers, donors, and sponsors—thank you for making these moments possible. Together, we are building more than homes; we are building brighter futures. 

Want to be part of the next key ceremony? Join us in creating more homeownership opportunities for families in need. Donate today. 

Celebrating Outstanding Volunteer Leadership: King Charles III Coronation Medals Awarded to Two Remarkable Habitat Volunteers 

We are proud to share an incredible achievement within the Habitat for Humanity Manitoba community—two of our dedicated Chapter volunteers have been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal, a national honour recognizing outstanding community service across Canada. 

What are Habitat Chapters?
Chapters are volunteer-driven groups that extend Habitat’s mission into communities outside of Winnipeg. These dedicated teams take on everything from fundraising and community engagement to homebuilding projects, ensuring that more families across Manitoba have access to safe, affordable housing. Each chapter operates with its own leadership team, relying on local volunteers to drive impact at the community level. 

This year, two of our outstanding chapter leaders, Colin Hourie (Portage la Prairie Chapter) and Karen McKinnon (Virden Chapter), have been selected for this honour in recognition of their exceptional service. Habitat for Humanity Canada was granted just 57 medals to distribute across the country, and we are incredibly proud that two of them are going to members of our Manitoba chapters. 

We will be hosting medal presentation celebrations in their communities in the coming weeks to honour this achievement. This recognition is a testament to the power of dedicated volunteers and the lasting difference they make. 

Colin Hourie – Portage la Prairie Chapter 

Colin has been a driving force in the Portage la Prairie chapter for over 13 years, serving as treasurer and helping to build the chapter’s strong reputation in the community. His impact reaches far beyond financial stewardship—Colin is the kind of volunteer who shows up for everything, from clearing trees to helping families navigate their mortgages. Known for his calm leadership and warm smile, he has been a steady hand through every challenge and success. We’re proud to celebrate Colin’s remarkable commitment. 

Karen McKinnon – Virden Chapter 

For over 14 years, Karen has led the Virden chapter with incredible energy and dedication—managing fundraising, family engagement, build logistics, and even picking up a hammer herself. In this year’s build alone, she volunteered 8 hours a day, 5 days a week (sometimes more) for 5 straight months—completely unpaid. Karen’s hands-on leadership and unwavering commitment have made an immeasurable difference to families in Virden and to our entire Habitat community. 

We are deeply grateful for Colin and Karen’s contributions and look forward to celebrating this well-deserved honour with their communities. 

Register for Cycle of Hope Today 

Since 1994, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba has been organizing cycling events to raise essential funds to build homes for families in need. From August 5–8, 2025, we’re taking our efforts to new heights with Cycle of Hope, venturing east to the breathtaking landscapes of Lake of the Woods, Ontario. 

Don’t wait— the 2025 Cycle of Hope team is more than 50% full, and with only 20 spots left! Secure your place today and ride for a cause. Together, we aim to raise $100,000 to help families reach the dream of homeownership.

This year’s ride offers a unique opportunity to cycle through the picturesque and challenging terrains of Kenora, Minaki, Rushing River Provincial Park, and Redditt, Ontario. Each meticulously planned route will take you through lush Boreal forests, the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield, and along serene lakeshores—providing a truly unforgettable experience. 

As a participant, you’ll be part of a close-knit community of cyclists, all united by the mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of local families. With every pedal stroke, you’ll contribute directly to building a new home and a brighter future. 

The journey spans four days, covering a total distance of 305 kilometres. Registration is $499 per cyclist, with a fundraising commitment of $1,500 per individual or $2,500 per couple. Registration rebates will be available in December for those who exceed the minimum fundraising goals. 

Cycle of Hope is more than a ride—it’s a meaningful experience, a chance to connect with others, and an opportunity to create real, lasting change in our communities. Join us on this incredible journey. Let’s keep building—together. 

If you’d like to learn more about Cycle of Hope and how you can get involved—please reach out to Brett Bourne, Manager Signature Events, at [email protected] or (204) 235-2181.

Book a Habitat Team Build Day  

Looking for a meaningful way to give back while building team spirit? Habitat Team Build Days offer organizations and groups the opportunity to roll up their sleeves, learn new skills, and make a direct impact on affordable housing in our community. 

Whether you’re a group of coworkers, a community organization, or a team of friends, Team Build Days are a hands-on, rewarding experience—no construction experience required. We provide everything you need: tools, safety gear, and guidance from experienced staff and volunteers. 

From May 7 to November 1, 2025, we’re welcoming teams of 10 to 50 people to our build sites across Manitoba. With customizable programs tailored to your goals, it’s the perfect opportunity to engage your group in a day of purpose, collaboration, and fun. 

What to Expect 

Your Team Build Day kicks off at 8:15 a.m. with sign-in and safety gear outfitting, followed by a safety briefing at 8:30 a.m. You’ll then work alongside your teammates to tackle building tasks—guided every step of the way by our experienced crew. A catered lunch, snacks, and water are all included to keep your team energized throughout the day. The day wraps up around 3:45 p.m. after clean-up and reflection on all you’ve accomplished. 

Safety First 

Safety is our top priority. All participants must complete a short online safety training and attend an on-site safety orientation. Our Habitat Manitoba staff and volunteers ensure that everyone feels comfortable and confident throughout the day. 

Add Impact with Fundraising 

Want to take your build day even further? Teams have the option to set fundraising goals and collect donations through our easy-to-use online platform. Upon registration, we’ll provide everything you need to rally your network and raise additional funds to support Habitat families. 

Build More Than Homes—Build Community 

Team Build Days are more than just a volunteer opportunity—they’re a powerful way to create lasting memories, strengthen team bonds, and help transform lives. By building homes, you help build hope. 

Ready to get started? Contact us to book your Team Build Day or learn more about how your organization can get involved. 

Women Build presents What’s the Price: “Come on down! You’re the next contestant!” 

Join us for an unforgettable night of fun, games and prizes at our next Women Build fundraising event—inspired by the classic game show we all know and love! 

Guests will have the chance to be randomly selected as contestants to guess the prices of merchandise and compete for exciting prizes. Every ticket holder is automatically entered into the contestant draw—winners will move on to a thrilling final round for even more chances to win. 

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: South Osborne Legion – 426 Osborne St, 2nd Floor Bingo Hall (stair access only) 

Ticket Options: 

• Individual Tickets: $30 each 

• Reserved Tables (Seats 6):  

• VIP Table – $200 (Front-row placement, only 3 available – first come, first served) 

• Standard Table – $180 

Table reservations are strongly encouraged for groups wishing to sit together. 

Get your tickets today and join us in supporting Women Build! Your participation helps change lives and brings us closer to building the 22nd Women Build sponsored home. 

If you’re unable to attend but still want to support, please consider making a donation to the Women Build program. 

A Night to Remember: The Fuse Rocks the Stage for Habitat!  

On Saturday, March 22, The Park Theatre was alive with energy as The Fuse lit up the stage for an unforgettable night in support of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba! With electrifying guitar solos, powerful vocals, and infectious rhythms, the beloved Winnipeg band had the crowd on their feet all night long. 

Presented by Meridian OneCap, this special benefit concert brought together music lovers and community champions for an evening filled with good vibes and great purpose. Guests enjoyed a high-energy show while supporting Habitat’s mission to build safe, affordable housing for families across Manitoba. 

Thanks to everyone who came out, danced, donated and helped make this event such a success. Your support brings us one step closer to creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

Missed the show but want to help? 

You can still make an impact by donating today. 

Meaning of Home 

This year, Manitoba students made history, submitting a record-breaking 3,142 entries—our highest number ever! Thank you to every student, teacher and parent who helped make this achievement possible. Your support not only inspired creativity in the classroom, but also helped bring hope to families in need of safe, affordable housing.  

This national writing contest invites students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 to reflect on the importance of home and share, in their own words, what home truly means to them. Through heartfelt poems, essays, and short stories, students help raise awareness—and funds—for affordable housing in their communities. 

Each entry helps support local Habitat builds, and winning submissions unlock grant funding for Habitat affiliates across Canada—including a $30,000 grant for the grand prize winner’s local Habitat, $10,000 for runners-up, and tablets and classroom pizza parties for the winning students and their classmates. 

The contest, proudly sponsored by Sagen, is more than just a writing opportunity—it’s a powerful way for young people to give back, develop empathy, and understand the impact of home. 

Though this year’s contest has wrapped up, we’re already looking forward to next year’s entries. If you’re a teacher or parent, we encourage you to keep this meaningful initiative in mind for your students. Together, we can continue to inspire a generation of young changemakers—one word, one story, and one home at a time. 

The winners of the contest will be announced in May 2025. 

Women Build Speaker Series Breakfast — A Morning of Purpose and Possibility 

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for Habitat Manitoba’s Women Build Speaker Series Breakfast—what a powerful and inspiring morning! With 203 passionate attendees, the room was filled with energy, connection, and a shared commitment to building stronger communities. 

A heartfelt thank you to our phenomenal speaker, Joy Loewen, whose words truly resonated. With authenticity and courage, Joy reminded us what it means to dare to lead, embrace vulnerability, and move boldly into the unknown. Her message encouraged us to trust our instincts, lean into change, and recognize the power of dreaming bigger. As Joy so powerfully shared—sometimes we need to “go into the cave” to find transformation, purpose, and clarity. 

Together, we raised over $20,000 in support of Habitat Manitoba’s Women Build program—bringing us one step closer to building the 22nd Women Build sponsored home for Jacq and Asher, a deserving local family. Your generosity and commitment are building more than homes—you are building futures. 

We are deeply thankful to our longstanding partners Qualico and Emergent BioSolutions for their continued support and belief in the Women Build mission. Their dedication, along with yours, is a shining example of the impact we can make when we come together in community. 

Let’s carry this momentum forward—on the build site, at future Women Build events, or through your own advocacy. It’s not too late to make a difference! Every contribution, big or small, helps move us closer to a world where everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. 

If you’d like to learn more about Women Build and how you can get involved—whether through volunteering, fundraising, or joining the committee—please reach out to Michele Happy, Partnership Development Manager, at [email protected] or (204) 235-2400. 

Let’s keep building—together.