Habitat for Humanity opened the doors to eight new townhouses at its Aurora Place development on Thursday, and in doing so, delivered the key to its 200th family in the Edmonton area.
The key ceremony as it's called, was attended by dozens of community members, dignitaries and media, not to mention the eight families themselves, complete with 17 children in total. The air might have been deceptively chilly but hearts were warmed by the humanity of the new residents as they took ownership of their homes and saw their fortunes and futures changing before their eyes.
Alfred Nikolai, president and CEO of the local chapter of the international organization, was all smiles as he witnessed the joyous occasion, praising the metropolitan Edmonton region for its efforts to come together and give so many people a hand up, not a hand out.
"It's got a spirit of neighbours helping neighbours like nowhere else in Canada, I swear," he began. "We get more volunteers than anybody else. When we asked for volunteers from St. Albert … they came! I'm really, really proud of the people who have come to help us build these homes. We're very grateful."
He also expressed many thanks at the "unbelievable" donations made by many private and corporate donors, including All Weather Windows, Standard General and the Kristie Charitable Foundation, a group that heretofore had remained unknown until representative Sean Tayler stepped up to the microphone to deliver the symbolic 200th key to Terri West and her two children.
Many tears were shed when Tayler gave an emotional speech about his mother, Suzanne Kristie, who lost her battle with cancer last year. He spoke of her struggles as a single mother who always gave back to the community. When she came into money in her later years, she decided to offer anonymous support to several local charities and community organizations rather than squander the windfall.
"Habitat wasn't available when we were growing up. I know that if it had, my mom would have been first in line and my sister and I would have had hammers in our hands."
After witnessing the beaming faces of West and her new neighbours, and surveying the brand new houses, he gave his verdict on the entire project: "It's awesome."
From her perspective, West – herself raised by a single mother – said that this was a game-changing moment after struggling financially and having to rent for many years.
"It's kind of terrifying. I'm going to own a home now. Everything is mine."
Another key was given to Chantelle Shebib. The handover was done by Cameron Cockrall, a Grade 6 student and prime minister of student council at Robert Rundle Elementary. He gave a hearty "welcome" to her and her family.
He was chosen out of 8,000 students from both school districts after a special fundraising event called At Home with Habitat PJ Day. Students showed up at school in their pyjamas and brought in $2 donations in recognition of the 200th key ceremony.
He was accompanied by teacher Tyng Ho who commented on how important it is for young people to learn about service to others.
"The main thing that we wanted out of it for the students is that they know that they can give back to society."
Background
Aurora Place is on the site of a former soccer field at 70 Arlington Dr. that was previously owned by the St. Albert Public School district. The development was approved by city council in 2010 after much debate and some controversy.
These eight families will soon have 12 new neighbours move in after the second stage of work is completed before Christmas. By the spring of 2013, the remaining 10 homes will be finished, bringing the total to 30 units.
Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-profit organization that works to mobilize teams of volunteers and donors to all work together to create new housing for families who otherwise would not be able to afford it.
In turn, the families themselves contribute 'sweat equity' by working on site. The homeowners then make their mortgage payments back to Habitat and the organization deposits them into a fund that then gets turned around to create even more new housing.
The local chapter started in 1991 and took 18 years to reach 100 houses and only another three years to reach the 200-house milestone. Nikolai said that progress is exponential and he anticipates the 300th key to be delivered before the end of 2013.
