Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay Ground Breaking Ceremony
Habitat for Humanity held a groundbreaking ceremony for their 2018 home build at 640 McPherson Street. The new home will be for partner family Shelley and Donna Lynn Laughton. Shelley is a single mom with a visibly impaired 9 year old daughter.
Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay is a not-for-profit organization that strives to create a world where all members of our community have a safe and decent place to live. They believe affordable housing is one
of the most important challenges facing our society. They attempt to help families in Thunder Bay break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives through home ownership.
Habitat for Humanity’s innovative model of affordable homeownership is providing more Canadians with stronger foundations for better, healthier lives. Habitat for Humanity has a proven social return on
investment – for every dollar invested in Habitat, there is a $4 benefit to the community. A Habitat home means healthier lives, better jobs, and more educational opportunities for children.
Donna Lynn is 9 1/2 years old.
“ I feel very excited. When I found out this build was going to happen I was jumping up and down and screaming. Now we can have our own house and live on our own in this house. I will be able to hammer the first nail, saw the first board and screw the first screw so it gonna be pretty exciting.”
Shelley,who is a a personal support worker at St Joseph’s.
“ We are hoping by Thanksgiving to be able to move in. I would never be able to build a home myself and to show Donna Lynn how it is done is exciting.”
“ We were renting a house on Northern Avenue which was sold, and then with my Dad and now are living in a basement apartment at a friends house.”
“ Donna Lynn was born with small eyes that didn’t develop and wears prosthetics. She does see light, shadows and different colours. The bathroom will be much better with bars and the way it opens. We will be able to pick colours. There is a park across the street and a skating rink.”
