Cornwall, ON

Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties was thrilled to deliver the keys and to help cut the ribbon on the Leaf-Saucier Family Home Build.  

The land on which this home was built was graciously donated by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

Well wishes and congratulations were shared with the family from a variety of attendees including the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Enbridge Inc., Habitat for Humanity Canada, Jim McDonnel’s office, and The City of Cornwall Mayor’s office.

Levi Herne shared Ohenton Kariwentekwen with the group and Arisawe Lazore shared a song to uplift our minds. The audience was truly captivated by all of the positive energy of the day, despite rainy skies.

The Leaf-Saucier Family faced overcrowding, safety, and privacy issues in their former residences. Now, they have a place to put down roots. Any time that we are able to contribute to safe, affordable housing in our region, we continue to be a part of the solution to a pressing, local problem.

The Leaf Family was initially selected as one of two 2020 Partner Families. However, due to resulting Covid-19 restrictions and uncertainties, 2020 build plans had to be adapted to a single family home instead of the first planned semi-detached build.

Habitat Cornwall Board Chair, Hank Blasiak shared, “the Leaf-Saucier Family has completed more than 500 hours of volunteer time and are about to begin making their geared to income mortgage payments. Their volunteer hours spanned everything from working in the ReStore to building bird houses for fundraising, to building their own home.”

In just a few short weeks, the Habitat Cornwall team will break ground on the next safe, affordable home build, on land donated by the Municipality of South Dundas in Winchester Springs.

For any businesses, community groups or individuals wanting to learn more about the Habitat for Humanity Home Build Program and how they can help, we encourage them to visit our website (www.habitatcornwall.org) our social media (@habitatcornwall) or our ReStore at 1400 Vincent Massey Drive, Cornwall.

Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties is a community-based, nonprofit working to build strength, stability and self-reliance. Since 1998, Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties provided safe, affordable homes to 16 families with 43 children. Partner Families dedicate 500 hours of volunteer work and pay a geared-to-income mortgage.