Genworth Canada Announces Winners of 2015 Meaning of Home Contest
in Support of Habitat for Humanity Canada
TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2016 /CNW/ – Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Indigenous Housing Program and Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario will each receive a $25,000 grant from Genworth Canada towards the build of a new Habitat home, thanks to Grade 6 student John Latosinsky of London, Ontario, winner of Genworth Canada’s Meaning of Home Contest.
Since launching in 2007, the national contest has received more than 35,000 essays from students in grades 4 to 6 and has helped direct more than $900,000 to Habitat for Humanity Canada and their affiliates in every province and territory.
“Every time I participate on a Habitat Build I am reminded of the impact this organization has, not only on the families entering the homes, but also on the employees, volunteers and communities that come together to make each build possible,” said Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Genworth Canada. “The Meaning of Home Contest teaches children that they too can make a difference and this is something all of us at Genworth Canada are very proud of.”
In his winning entry, selected among 5,000 submitted this year, 11-year old John had this to say about the meaning of home:
Home is a place, like no other place can compare.
It gives a wonderful feeling that everybody should share
[â¦]
You learn even more things there that you never knew.
You learn what is false, and what is true.
[â¦]
The memories you make there will never fade.
There is almost never a time there when you are afraid.
[â¦]
That sad truth is one that I hate to say.
There are people around who have no place to stay.
[â¦]
We have let it rest for much too long.
Let’s give them a place where they feel they belong.
Excerpt from John Latosinsky’s essay, winner of the 2015 Meaning of Home Contest..
“Habitat’s partnership with Genworth Canada is proof that great things happen when corporate citizens and not-for-profits come together with a shared vision,” said Mark Rodgers, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “Genworth Canada not only provides much needed cash funding to support our homebuilding projects across Canada, but is also one of our most innovative and involved partners. This collaboration is a model all partners should strive to replicate and we are grateful for their support.”
John, of Lester B. Pearson School in London, Ontario, was awarded the top prize which includes an iPad, a pizza party for his class, a $1,000 donation to his school and the opportunity to direct a $50,000 grant from Genworth Canada to a Habitat affiliate of his choice. After researching the many affiliates across the country, John asked that the grant be directed to the construction of affordable housing for Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario and to Habitat’s Indigenous Housing Program in Southern Ontario.
Five runners-up were also selected and awarded a $5,000 grant each to also direct to a Habitat for Humanity (HFH) affiliate of their choice. The runners-up and their beneficiaries are:
- Akriti Batra â Wasaga Beach, Ontario â HFH South Georgian Bay
- Magalie Cyr– Salaberry-De-Valleyfiled, Quebec â HFH Quebec
- Meera Joshi – Moncton, New Brunswick â HFH Moncton
- Jessica Kim – Vancouver, British Columbia â HFH Greater Vancouver
- Payton Ramer – Caronport, Saskatchewan â HFH Regina (Moose Jaw Project)
Students were also invited to post videos describing what home means to them for a chance to win additional prizes. View the winning video by Callie from Airdrie, Alberta at www.youtube.com/meaningofhome.
To view all winning entries visit www.meaningofhome.ca.
About Genworth Canada
Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX: MIC) through its subsidiary, Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (Genworth Canada), is the largest private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. The Company provides mortgage default insurance to Canadian residential mortgage lenders, making homeownership more accessible to first-time homebuyers. Genworth Canada differentiates itself through customer service excellence, innovative processing technology, and a robust risk management framework. For more than two decades, Genworth Canada has supported the housing market by providing thought leadership and a focus on the safety and soundness of the mortgage finance system. As at September 30, 2015, Genworth Canada had $6.1 billion total assets and $3.4 billion shareholders’ equity. Find out more at www.genworth.ca.
About Habitat for Humanity Canada:
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the help of over 63,000 volunteers every year and 56 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to break the cycle of poverty in Canada and around the world. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.
SOURCE Genworth Canada
Image with caption: “Grade 6 student John Latosinsky of London, Ontario, winner of Genworth Canadaâs Meaning of Home Contest (CNW Group/Genworth Canada)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160203_C1857_PHOTO_EN_611915.jpg
