Mission Statement
To mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty.
Information on HFHGB
In 1987, a group of citizens concerned about the lack of affordable housing in our community, and who had heard about the work of Habitat for Humanity International decided to start up a Habitat affiliate in Owen Sound, Ontario. The affiliate, composed entirely of dedicated volunteers, built its first home in Owen Sound in 1988.
A few years later in 1990, the Affiliate incorporated as Owen Sound Habitat for Humanity and proceeded to organize the building of a second home in Owen Sound in 1994. Seeing the need to expand its vision beyond Owen Sound, the affiliate changed its name to Grey-Bruce Habitat for Humanity and in 1998 built a third home in Markdale.
In order to accelerate the pace of building, a ReStore was opened in 1999 and some affiliate staffing was put in place by 2000. Between 2000 and 2005 eleven more homes were built for Grey-Bruce families bringing the total to 14 homes for 24 adults and 41 children. These homes are located in Owen Sound, Markdale, Meaford, Durham, Tara, Saugeen Shores, Hanover, Brockton, Thornbury and Inverhuron.
As a relatively small affiliate, Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce is proud of the fact that it is not only the oldest existing affiliate in Canada, but has paved the development of a highly successful community build model which has garnered interest from across Canada. HFHGB’s approach grew out of its commitment to build affordable housing where needed throughout both counties. HFHGB’s ability to establish build committees in small communities such that a community “owns” a build and thereby “adopts” the partner family is now a well developed model that enhances a family’s chance of success within the community.
Along the way, the affiliate adopted the universal name format and became Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce. What has not changed is the commitment of those involved with HFHGB to provide simple, decent and affordable housing for people in need. If you share this commitment, want to join in Habitat’s work, or need more information you can reach us at:
Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce
458344 Grey Road 11, RR8
Owen Sound, ON N4K 5W4
Phone: (519) 371-6776 or toll-free: 1-866-771-6776
Fax: (519) 371-2642
e-mail: habitatos@bmts.com
Habitat grey Bruce board of directors
Greg Fryer: Greg Fryer joined the Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Board in May 2007, serving as the Faith Relations Chairperson. A graduate of Tyndale Seminary, he is currently the Associate Pastor of Owen Sound Alliance Church where he has various pastoral and administrative duties. Apart from church life, he and his wife Fiona have a variety interests including reading, cooking, gardening and other outdoor activities. They have 2 children.
Neale Kemp: Chair Neale Kemp has been a member of the Habitat Board since 2001 and has been Chair for the past four years. He is a graduate from Curtin University, Australia with a Masters Degree in Science and currently is the co-owner of an international marine engineering company, Aspin Kemp & Associates headquartered in Owen Sound. He is also serving as Build Chair for the 2007 20/20 Vision “6 Homes for 6 Families” build to celebrate the Affiliate’s 20th Anniversary.
Mark Leonard: Mark Leonard has been a resident of Owen Sound his entire life. He moved into his father’s electrical contracting business in 1983 and has operated Larry's Electric for the past 23 years. Mark is a Registered Master Electrician and a Registered Electrical Contractor. He has served with the Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Board of Directors as Building Committee Chair and as Board Chair in previous years
Barry Mellish: Vice-chair Barry Mellish has lived with his wife and children in Owen Sound since 1972. He is a certified Architectural Technologist and Vice President, Operations for Allen-Hastings Limited, a general contracting company in Grey Bruce. He originally joined the Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Board in 1996 and served as Vice-Chair and Chair during a six year term. He re-joined the Board after a one-year break and is currently Vice-Chair
Keith Mombourquestte: Treasurer Keith joined the Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Board in 2002. He is a graduate of McMaster University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He is currently employed by Ontario Power Generation, where he serves as the Director, Nuclear Waste Operations. Keith was the founding President of the lake Huron Fishing Club, and is an accomplished woodworker, having designed and constructed the timber frame home where he and his wife Maureen reside.
Lori Parkinson: Lori joined the Board in April 2007. She is currently Fund Development Chair and also taking over as Treasurer in 2008. Her involvement before the board was as Sponsorship Chair for the ‘6 homes for 6 families’ 2007 build. Lori is a retired Community Bank Manager with 36 years in the RBC Financial Group. She thus brings a diverse business and personal financial background to the board. After retirement, Lori returned to the area and became involved as Fundraising Chair for the Grey County 2004 IPM. She enjoys meeting and working with people and finds working with Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce is a rewarding experience. Lori plans to go on an overseas build in the next year.
Shirley Underwood: Shirley Underwood has been on the Board since January 2005, working as the Family Selection Chairperson. She became hooked while on the Saugeen Shores build in 2002. She owns her own company, and finds that working as a financial advisor helps her make an impact on families lives. She and her husband Ken own a 300 acre century family dairy farm near Burgoyne and have 4 children. They travel extensively, and are looking forward to adding Global Village Builds to their retirement plans.
Gary Varsava: Gary Varsava has been on the Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Board for four years. He has participated on five blitz builds and he chaired a build in Port Elgin. His committee work has included review of construction methods, environmental health and safety, mentoring other builds and Human Resources. He is a Professional Engineer (Civil) and is employed as a Project Manager for Ontario Power Generation at the Western Waste Management Facility near Tiverton.