Building in Quebec

Right now Habitat for Humanity is an little-known name in French -speaking Canada. But not for long, if Marc Caron and Michel Pilon and their enthusiastic team of Habitat volunteers behind this year's Aylmer build have their way!

"We knew we up against a lack of awareness", says Marc, who is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Capital Region affiliate, "but we knew that once we explained the Habitat mission to build safe affordable homes for families in need, the communities of Aylmer and Gatineau would get behind us. And they have."

In fact, a key partner in spear-heading this was the former mayor of Gatineau, M. Yves Ducharme, who enthusiastically welcomed Habitat for Humanity into the community of Aylmer. He has since been joined by recently elected mayor Marc Budreau who has challenged Habitat for Humanity to build many more homes in his city in the coming years.

Planning for the build began last February with the founding of the Gatineau Initiative Sub-Committee. Marc Caron, a member of the Board of Directors graciously agreed to shoulder responsibility for the sub-committee. Led by Committee Chair, Michel Pilon, the sub-Committee currently has 16 members: Jannine Atkinson, Claude Drolet, Gilles Gobeil, Kathy Irwin, Richard Jennings, Lachlan Lepine, Lise Léger, Andre Levac, Michel Loubier, Miriam MacNeil, Louise Major, Roch Vaillancourt, Caroline Viens, Martine Carrière and Darrell deGrandmont.

"In a very short period we established a very strong committee of devoted individuals and built a structure and process to work towards a successful build in the spring of 2006," says Michel Pilon, Committee Chair.

The first priority of the Committee was to establish good working relationships with members of the local business community to identify potential sponsors and donors and to kickstart fundraising efforts.

"We have been really gratified by how local businesses have come forward in support of our project," said Marc Caron. "Michel and his team fanned out across the region speaking with businesses large and small and to date we have identified over 20 local sponsors who have come forward with cash donations, donations of materials in kind and donations of resources and manpower."

Attracting volunteers is another top priority. "Spreading the word about Habitat through local newspapers, radio and television is key to making people aware of what we do and inviting them to join with us to help improve the housing conditions of a family in our community" , says Michel Pilon. " And it works! To date we have more than 100 individuals who want to work with us on the build, but we need more, many more and we challenge the people of Aylmer to step forward and volunteer for what they will find is a gratifying and amazing experience, " he added.

Gearing up for the May 2006 build is clearly the focus of the Gatineau committee at the moment. But longer-term objectives are never far from the mind of Marc and Michel. "Over the next few years, we want to integrate our Gatineau Initiative Sub-Committee members into our existing NCR Committees to insure the Gatineau region remains a focus and is served in both official languages," said Marc Caron.

"And, don't forget, we are just beginning!" adds Michel Pilon. "Our strategic plan includes building eight additional homes in the Gatineau region between 2007 and 2010. Our goal is to make the Habitat name a household name and a welcome community presence throughout Gatineau."

With their enthusiasm, determination and track record to date, the Gatineau sub-committee will make it happen!

We are building

• A 1200 square foot single home with basement.
• Location: 3 Court Street
• Groundbreaking is May 15, with the Ground Blessing on May 4th
• Fundraising efforts, which included a musical concert and skating afternoon, have raised over $80,000.
• Over 25 local businesses have donated supplies and money to help out.
• Plans include building eight additional homes in the Gatineau region between 2007 and 2010.

To register as a volunteer or supply materials or services for the Aylmer build - for information, contact Habitat for Humanity-NCR at (613) 749-9950 or at volunteer@habitatncr.com.

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