Habitat for Humanity: Help break the cycle of poverty
At Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, our goal is to get families in need into safe, decent and affordable 
homes. To do so, we work alongside our community partners, volunteers and skilled tradespeople to build communities, one home at a time. This requires we plan ahead, throw large-scale events, fundraise and find future build sites for our Habitat homes. In 2015, we will continue to do just that by building six homes in Richmond—each with their own rental unit (a new Habitat model)—providing financial security and homeownership for twelve deserving families.
Tuesday, November 18th marked an important day for our organization. It was our first public event, and the launch of our first annual Women Build campaign: Power Women Power Tools. For the last three plus months, our office has been a-buzz with event planning—not to mention the daily running of a Habitat affiliate.
To say we’ve been busy is an understatement. But the ride has been nothing but splendid. This past Tuesday over 200 guests joined us at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in support of our initiative to raise $500,000 towards our build fund in order to fulfill our mission: to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. To do so, we ask 400 women to build twelve homes over ten days on our Richmond build come spring 2015. Through our shared efforts twelve partner families will get a home of their own. We look forward to collaborating with our presenting partner P&G, our kind sponsors and our Women Build ambassadors who are game to rally their friends, family members and colleagues to join the Power Women Power Tools campaign with us.
In the madness of event logistics, in the eye of the storm and in the calm of everything going well—we’ve learned quite a bit. And that planning an event, organizing a build site and running a race have more in common than you’d think.
Here are a few pointers to keep your runners laced and ready to go come May 2015!
- Get organized
Plan ahead. Know the steps you need to take. For Women Build, we relied heavily on our critical paths, always strategic but aware of what challenges were around the bend. For BMO Vancouver Marathon runners, get a schedule going. It’s going to be tough, but outlining what needs to be accomplished will have you race-ready come spring. Think about the big picture. Get your cardio going, do drills, stretch, and definitely take some needed rest and relaxation during training. In the end, it’s more about the journey than the destination.
- Be a team player
Events are high stress. There’s no doubt about it. So working as a team is a must. Throughout our planning and execution stages, we followed our critical paths, discussed strategies and relied on each other for feedback and moral support. In prepping for your run, reach out to your friends, family and co-workers. Get them jazzed about your goal to do the 8KM, half or full marathon. Find fellow runners who will keep you going and push you beyond your own boundaries. Together you’re unstoppable!
- Go for the long haul
After months of planning, prepping, organizing—the day of our event finally arrived. Thanks to our project manager, our tasks were clearly outlined and we arrived at the venue ready to go! We decorated, redecorated and then settled in for a fabulous evening. Had we been overwhelmed by the work involved or lost our drive along the way, we wouldn’t have relished in our shared successes. In going the extra mile, literally, fear not how much work is involved. Know that your efforts—the early rises, the practice runs, the eating healthy—will feed your determination as you run for the charity of your choice. And in the end cross that finish line.
On behalf of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, we wish you all success as you tackle your first, second or a millionth BMO Vancouver Marathon. And for those running for our organization, we thank you. Good luck!
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Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver
To mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership opportunities as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty
Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver works alongside community partners and volunteers to build safe, decent homes that are sold to partner families with payments tailored to be no more than 30% of their annual gross income. These families would not qualify for a traditional mortgage but by contributing 500 volunteer hours (or sweat equity as we call it) with Habitat for Humanity, they help build their own home. Help us build affordable and safe homes for all!
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