As the holiday season arrives, we are reflecting on a remarkable year of progress and community generosity. Because of supporters like you, 26 Manitoba families will soon unlock the door to a home they helped build, marking the start of a new chapter filled with stability and joy. Looking ahead, another 20 families are preparing to build their futures through homes currently underway at our developments. 

With housing costs rising and the need for affordable homes increasing across Manitoba, many more families are still waiting for the chance to build a safe and secure future. 

Your year-end gift can help change that. Every donation directly supports the materials, tools, and labour needed to complete these homes. With your help, walls go up, windows are installed and families move one step closer to a place they can call their own. 

This holiday season, we invite you to make a meaningful gift that brings lasting change. Together, we can continue building homes, strengthening communities and opening doors for families across our province. 

If you are looking for a meaningful, long lasting way to give, you can also become a Hope Builder with a monthly gift starting at just $15. Monthly donations provide steady support so we can plan ahead, build year round and respond to the growing need for safe, affordable housing. Select the monthly option on the donation page to become a Habitat Manitoba Hope Builder.

Hearts & Hammers: A Night of Gratitude

Hearts and Hammers: A Night of Gratitude brought our community together for an evening filled with connection, celebration and genuine appreciation. Held at the Pinnacle Club at Princess Auto Stadium, the night was all about recognizing the people who make our work possible. 

Over the past three years, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba has hosted annual donor appreciation events, but this year felt different. Hearts and Hammers introduced a fresh format in a new venue, giving us an exciting and meaningful way to celebrate with you. 

Thanks to the generous support of our event sponsors MLT Aikins and Terracon Development, the evening came to life in a big way. Guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres, live music and hands on activities that showcased the heart of our mission. Chrissy Troy from Virgin Radio 103.1 kept the energy high as our Emcee, and we were thrilled to welcome Wade Miller and members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  

Hearing directly from Habitat homeowners was a highlight of the night. Their stories of strength, stability and new beginnings reminded all of us why this work matters and how much impact your support creates. 

From start to finish, Hearts and Hammers felt warm, inspiring and full of community spirit. Your presence made the night meaningful, memorable and truly special. 

Thank you once again to all our donors for your generosity, your belief in our mission and the impact you help build every single day. Habitat for Humanity Manitoba would not be able to do this work without you. 

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The Meaning of Home Contest is Back!

The Meaning of Home writing contest runs January 5 to February 20, 2026, and invites Manitoba students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 to share what home means to them through a short poem or essay. 

How it works 

• Students write 50 to 300 words in English or French.
• Entries can be submitted online, by mail, or by email. 
• $10 per entry will be generously donated by our contest sponsors, to Habitat Manitoba. 
• Grand prize winners earn a $30,000 grant for their local Habitat. 
• Runner-up winners earn ten thousand dollars for their local Habitat. 
• All winners receive a tablet and a pizza party for their class. 

Why it matters 

• Builds creative writing and critical thinking skills. 
• Helps students reflect on the importance of home. 
• Supports affordable housing in their community. 

Manitoba is leading the way
In 2024, Manitoba students submitted a record-breaking 3,142 entries. Thank you to every teacher, parent and student who made this milestone possible. 

We cannot wait to see what students will share this year as they help build more homes for families across Manitoba. 

Learn more and get involved.

2025 Habitat Manitoba Team Build Milestones

Each year, our Habitat Team Build program brings together hundreds of volunteers and partners who share one goal: helping families in Manitoba build strength, stability, and independence through affordable housing.  
 
At our Pandora Avenue development this season, we witnessed once again the incredible power of community. Every participant, volunteer, and supporter played a role in turning hope into homes, building not just walls and roofs but opportunity and lasting change.  
 
Here’s what we accomplished together this year:  
 
– 102 Habitat Team Build Day groups, that’s 8,265 volunteer hours from 1,102 enthusiastic participants  
– 574 dedicated construction volunteers  
– 327 students and community members who lent their time and skills  
– 13 inspiring Volunteer Leaders who contributed 3,460 hours  
 
Your generosity and teamwork make our mission possible year after year. Thank you for showing up, giving back, and proving what we can achieve when we build together.  
 
We look forward to welcoming you back in 2026. Stay tuned for updates on our Habitat Team Build Day program and volunteer opportunities coming in the new year. 

Women Build: Foundation Forward Breakfast

Celebrate empowerment, leadership, and community impact at Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s Foundation Forward Breakfast, our refreshed and reimagined International Women’s Day event. 

Date: March 6
Time: 7:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: RBC Convention Centre 

Presented by Qualico, this inspiring morning brings together community champions, industry leaders, and supporters of women’s empowerment for connection, reflection, and meaningful action. This year, we are excited to welcome keynote speakers Morgan Wielgosz and Amber Sarraillon, founders of Good Neighbour Brewing Co., Manitoba’s first all-female and 2SLGBTQ+ owned brewery. Their story of entrepreneurship, authenticity, and community commitment is one you will not want to miss. 

All funds raised support Habitat Manitoba’s Women Build program and their goal to raise $150,000 to help build the 23rd Women Build home. 

Be part of a morning that empowers women, strengthens communities, and builds brighter futures. 

Ready to make an impact? 

Sandra’s Global Village Trip to Fiji

Habitat Manitoba’s Construction Project Manager, Sandra Froese, recently returned from a powerful Global Village volunteer trip to Fiji, where she helped build a long-awaited bathroom for the Volavola family in the village of Narewa. Their original bathroom was destroyed in Cyclone Winston in 2017 and the family has waited almost nine years to rebuild. 

Global Village is Habitat’s short-term international volunteer program that brings teams together with local communities to build or improve homes. Volunteers work alongside families, learn about local culture, and return as advocates for safe and decent housing worldwide. 

One of Sandra’s most meaningful moments was being invited to turn on the main water valve, officially completing the new bathroom. The celebration was filled with joy, gratitude and plenty of tears. 

Throughout the week, Sandra connected with the community, shared fresh coconut water with new friends, explored the Caves of Babylon and even made it home in time to see the northern lights dancing over Manitoba. 

Welcome home, Sandra, and thank you for bringing Habitat’s mission to life across the globe. 

Habitat ReStore Holidays Hours 

Habitat Restore locations will be closed December 25 and December 26 for the holidays.
We will be back in store Saturday, December 27!

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba Administration Office Hours 

The Habitat for Humanity Manitoba administrative office hours during the upcoming holiday season are as follows: Closed from December 24 at noon until January 1. We will be back in the office on Friday, January 2 at 8:00 am.