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 2010 twenty one more homes were built for Grey-Bruce families bringing
the total to 24 homes for 40 adults and 64 children. These homes are located in
Owen Sound, Markdale, Meaford, Durham, Tara, Port Elgin, Saugeen Shores,
Hanover, Brockton (Walkerton), Thornbury, Inverhuron and the Township of South
Bruce Peninsula (Wiarton).
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: 1-877-606-1386
e-mail:
habitatos@bmts.com
Habitat Grey Bruce (Volunteer)
Board of Directors
Greg Fryer: Greg joined the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce
in the spring of 2007. Greg is currently the
Chair of the Board and he also chairs
the Faith Relations Committee. He is a pastor and is currently establishing a
home-based ministry that includes life coaching, pre-marriage preparation and
church development. Greg resides outside Owen Sound with his wife Fiona and
their two children
Shirley Underwood: Vice Chair 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
Keith Mombourquestte: Secretary of the Board.
Keith joined the Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Board in 2002. Keith is
currently serving his second term as
Board Chair, Habitat for Humanity Canada. He is a graduate of McMaster
University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. 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 in Southampton.
Lori Parkinson: Treasurer, Chair of the Audit &
Risk Management committee and Member of the Human Resource committee:
Lori joined the Board in April 2007. Her
involvement before the board was as Sponsorship Chair for the ‘6 homes for 6
families’ 2007 Owen Sound build. Lori is a retired Community Bank Manager with
36 years in the RBC Financial Group. Lori 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.
Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce
Board of Director Chairs (Chronology)
Barry Mellish: 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.
Neale Kemp: Neale received Habitat for Humanity Canada's volunteer of the year award at its annual general meeting in Mississauga in 2008. The Annan resident has overseen the construction of many homes - both locally and in southeast Asia - during his nine-year tenure with Habitat for Humanity Grey-Bruce. Kemp, co-owner of the Owen Sound engineering firm Aspin, Kemp and Associates, moved to Grey County in 1994 and joined Habitat five years later. He started out volunteering at the organization's ReStore and went on to spend six years as chairman.
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: 1-877-606-1386
e-mail:
habitatos@bmts.com