What's New
Are you a past or present member of the Habitat Volunteer team? If so, we want to celebrate you on Saturday, June 22nd from 1-4pm!
Join us in the Wilson Creek Village for a thank you to past and present volunteers as well as a celebration of families who have worked so hard to become a part of the Habitat village. Please RSVP with the number in your party: rsvp@habitatsc.ca.
On the evening of February 28, 2024, with family by his side, Mark Powell, 64, passed away peacefully at home in Sechelt, BC from cancer. Though he left far too soon for his wife, Joan, family and friends, Mark filled his life with marvellous experiences, purposeful work, meaningful contribution, and great love.
Mark enjoyed a wide-ranging, challenging career in hospitality and real estate development in Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean. His success at work afforded him continuous travel opportunities, including the dream of living with his family in another culture, with endless sun and palm trees. As an executive for various companies Mark became known for his commitment to excellence. He was a member of some of the best run companies in Canada during critical moments in their development.
Throughout his life, Mark was devoted to family and community, always operating with integrity and meaningful action. Forward-thinking, he focussed on creating better outcomes for people whenever possible. In 2019, Mark and Joan moved to the Sunshine Coast, where he took on the full-time role of CEO for Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast until his cancer diagnosis and treatment began in 2021. Mark continued to provide support to the local Habitat executive until recently.
A celebration of Mark’s wonderful life is being planned for a sunny day in the late spring.
Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast’s Executive Director, Douglas Dunn, attended the Union of BC Municipalities Conference September 20th and 21st at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. At the conference, the six BC Habitat Affiliates worked together to explain the Habitat mission and met with municipal representatives from all over the province.
📣 Congratulations to Mrs. Stewart, the WINNER of the September Online Raffle! Thank you to all who entered the September 50/50 Raffle. Every 50/50 raffle ticket bought helps working families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through access to affordable housing. 🎟️ 📣
Interested in entering our next 50/50? Grab your tickets now for the 50/50 Online Raffle. Thank you for your incredible support!
Congratulations to the winner of our quilt draw, Dianne Stromes! Dianne stopped by the ReStore where Mary McInulty gave Dianne her winning prize!
This beautiful handmade quilt was constructed and donated in the memory of Joan Harvey by the Halfmoon Bay Crazy Quilt Guild who worked tirelessly to create this handmade 86”x176” quilt for Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast in support of the Affordable Housing Program.
Thank you to all who purchased tickets at the ReStore. With your incredible support Habitat is able to build a brighter future for families in need.
September brings with it shorter days and cooler, crisper nights. As we welcome the change in seasons what better way to cozy up than with a beautiful handmade quilt. Constructed and donated in the memory of Joan Harvey, the Halfmoon Bay Crazy Quilt Guild worked tirelessly to create and then graciously donate a stunning, handmade 86”x176” quilt to Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast in support of the Affordable Housing Program.
Joan and her husband Dale were long time supporters of Habitat for Humanity with Dale logging many hours helping in all areas most especially the ReStore. The theme of the quilt, houses and homes, reflects Harvey’s belief in Habitat’s mission of safe and secure housing for all. The quilt is being raffled as a fundraiser for the Affordable Housing Program with tickets at $5 available at the mall locations. Alternatively, stop in at the ReStore, purchase a ticket and speak with store manager Luanne to learn what volunteer opportunities exist and how your talents could be gratefully utilized to support this very worthwhile cause. The raffle draw date is September 15th.
Thank you for nominating the ReStore for a Sunshine Coast People’s Choice Award! 🏆 Voting for the retail category is open July 7 to July 20, please head over to www.scbrc.ca/coastyourvote to #CoastyourVote for us and other local businesses!
This National Indigenous Peoples Day and everyday, Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast works to honour and amplify First Nations, Inuit, and Métis voices, cultures and histories. We are taking time today to reflect and learn in order to become stronger allies to Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
Learn about local events in the community and ways you can celebrate Indigenous voices:
Notice of 2023 Annual General Meeting
Visit the ReStore to see our new monitor with a video display. A big thank you to Russ Greaves for his fantastic work creating a wonderful video of the fourplex construction which can now be viewed at the ReStore.
We’re saddened to hear that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has entered hospice care. President and Mrs. Carter have been Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers, inspiring millions while helping build 4,390 homes across 14 countries.
We offer our thoughts and prayers to President Carter and his family during this difficult time and thank him for his unwavering support of our mission.
Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast board chair Dave Taylor, executive director Douglas Dunn and Sechelt Mayor John Henderson welcomed three new families to the Habitat Sunshine Village in Wilson Creek last month at the Habitat welcoming ceremony.
New homes will be available in 2023, and Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast is now accepting applications. For details of the requirements to be considered for Habitat Housing and to view an application form, please visit our website at https://www.habitatsc.ca/howtoapply/
Habitat Welcomes New Families
“On December 3rd, Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast celebrated the completion of a brand new fourplex building and the arrival of three new families at the Habitat Sunshine Village in Wilson Creek. This fourplex is the final building in the Habitat Sunshine Village project which includes six duplexes plus the newly completed fourplex.” Read more in the January/February 2023 issue of Home on the Coast.
Habitat for Humanity welcomes three families to the
Sunshine Coast Village
Habitat Canada Affordable Housing Survey
Habitat for Humanity Canada has released a national survey revealing Canadians’ attitudes towards the affordable housing crisis in Canada and sheds light on the growing barriers to homeownership.
The Affordable Housing in Canada Survey by Habitat for Humanity Canada finds affordable housing is a top concern for Canadians – the third most important issue facing the country today behind inflation and healthcare.
The majority of Canadians believe that more affordable housing could solve the social issues we’re currently facing as a country and that owning a home can create more stability in your life.
- Most Canadians (87%) agree that owning a home can create more stability in your life.
- Three-quarters of Canadians (75%) believe that more affordable housing could solve the social issues we’re currently facing as a country.
- As the cost of living and housing across Canada continues to rapidly increase, Canadians are being priced out of the market and housing options in their own communities.
- Four-in-five Canadians (78%) are worried about having to spend less on food, savings, transportation costs and/or debt payments to continue to afford their current housing – whether they are homeowners or renters.
- Three-quarters of Canadians (74%) feel that homes in their area are unaffordable, and half of Canadians (54%) are worried about affording a home in their community.
- Around two-in-five Canadians (37%) would likely relocate to a different community to find affordable housing and one-in-ten (11%) say they’d be very likely to do so.
As a leading provider of affordable housing in Canada, Habitat for Humanity is on the frontlines of the housing crisis, advocating for safe, decent, and affordable places to call home for Canadians across the housing continuum.
- Habitat for Humanity Canada advocates for:
- Increasing housing supply through more assertive municipal affordable housing policies.
- Decision making on new housing at the local and provincial levels are driven by the requirements of those who need it, not by those who already have it.
- Investing in solutions to improve access to affordable housing at all points of the housing continuum.
- Connecting affordable housing and infrastructure investments to improve access to services and employment that will lead to stronger communities.
- Increasing opportunities for those living with low income to access affordable homeownership
Habitat Seeks a Family for New Fully Accessible Home
“Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer, Stephanie Cadieux, (seen here with Habitat’s John Leech) expressed appreciation to Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast for including a fully accessible home in the new fourplex.”
Non-profit struggles to fill vacant accessible family home on the Sunshine Coast
Habitat is Happenin'...Building One Home a Year
“One home a year is a great legacy for Ed and Gwen Hawkins, the founders of Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast. Launched on the Coast in 2005 Habitat has 14 families in seven duplexes, six at the Sunshine Coast Village at Wilson Creek and one more duplex in Sechelt. Four more families will become Habitat families before the end of 2022, bringing the total families to 18. Quite the accomplishment for a very small society in a community with a relatively low population.”
Our Thanks to Shoreline Law
Sunshine Coast People’s Choice Award
We have been nominated for a Sunshine Coast People’s Choice Award for Favourite Home Appliance/Mattress/Lighting Store! 🎉 🏆 🤩 Voting for the retail category is open July 1 to July 14, show the love for us and all your other favourite coastal retail businesses and #CoastyourVote today at www.scbrc.ca/coastyourvote
Sunshine Coast People’s Choice Award
Thank-you for nominating our business for a Sunshine Coast People’s Choice Award! Voting for the retail category is open July 1 to July 14, please head over to www.scbrc.ca/coastyourvote to #CoastyourVote for us and other local businesses!
Indigenous History Month
This Indigenous History Month marks the 7th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s closing ceremonies, which concluded with the publishing of their 94 Calls to Action.
Take the time to educate yourself, and others, on these important calls to action and their findings: https://bit.ly/3weSZzb
National Indigenous Peoples Day
On Indigenous Peoples Day, Habitat Sunshine Coast is proud to celebrate and honour the Indigenous families we work with, like Tina and Niu. We are pleased to share their family’s journey towards affordable homeownership through the Indigenous Housing Partnership program.
Get to know their story: habitat.ca/stories/home-is-for-the-future
We Want Your Milk Cartons!
And now milk, soy and similar cartons – of all sizes – are being accepted at Habitat’s refundables operations in Sechelt and Gibsons. Our only request: that the cartons be clean, and for the Gibsons operation, that you not scrunch the cartons. Sorry, but cream and 50:50 cartons are not refundable; these can be put in with all your other recycle stuff.
Avalon and other glass milk bottles are cherished as they bring in about $2500 a year to Habitat. After you drop your bottles with Habitat we take them to a local grocery store for a refund. So, when you are gathering your pop and beer cans and wine & alcohol bottles destined for Habitat, remember to include your milk containers. They, too, help build affordable housing.
$80,000 is Habitat’s target for our 2022 refundables operations. Our goal will only be achieved with YOUR HELP, your bottles, cans and cartons. We thank you.
Firewood Is Available to Habitat Members
Habitat Refundablers
Our Refundablers report that in addition to making a difference in our community they also have FUN doing it! Maybe you would like to offer an hour a week at either our Sechelt or Gibsons locations? If you are interested in learning more & joining our team, call or text John Leech at 604-230-5827
Pictured here, Tim takes satisfaction in completing a shift sorting and counting cans and bottles. THANKS Tim!
New Habitat Homes Available Fall 2022
Habitat Update in November-December 2021 issue of
Home on the Coast
5 year old helps Habitat sort cans and bottles. 94 year old retired earlier this year. Yup, there is no age restriction on volunteering for Habitat. Shae (5 years) and her Mom Tara (centre in photo) and friend Katie were on site in Gibsons recently, donating their time in an effort to raise funds for the new fourplex building planned for The Village at Wilson Creek. Earlier this year Murray Drope at age 94 ‘retired’ from volunteering due to a health issue. We are so grateful for all of his help, but are in need of some new volunteers.
We are looking for a couple more volunteers to offer 1 to 2 hours a week sorting and counting cans and bottles. We are located at the Gibsons Bottle Depot, 1035 Venture Way. To get more info on volunteering please call or text John Leech (Board Vice Chair) at 604-230-5827.
P.S. Please take a moment to drop off your refundable cans and bottles. By doing so you will be supporting Habitat in its efforts to help four more families in the community. We thank you!
Habitat Gets Wagon from B&K Garden & Landscape Supply
We invite the Gibsons and area community to drop your cans and bottles at 1035 Venture Way. ALL FUNDS from the cans and bottles goes to building homes. Habitat will soon announce the start of construction of the final homes at The Village at Wilson Creek.
Habitat ‘Refundablers’ Raise $80k a Year
Habitat Volunteers sort on their 24th Anniversary!
Members of the Sunshine Coast community interested in volunteering at either the Sechelt or Gibsons Recycle operations should email volunteer@habitatsc.ca. Typically a volunteer is asked to commit an hour or two once a week. If you are not able to make a firm commitment to a regular schedule then we can list you as a ‘floater’ and add you to a team at times that work for you.
Habitat for Humanity Seeking 6 more Volunteers!
First to express thanks to six locals who came forward to volunteer to help out at Gibsons Recycle Operation. Much appreciated. They will be going to work this coming week. We would like to find another SIX (6) volunteers, and with the added number assure all volunteers that they would have no more than one short 1 – 2 hour shift a week. Please consider and send an email to volunteer@habitatsc.ca to learn more.
Here are a few volunteers gathered at the Gibsons site to help clear the large backlog of cans and bottles, which, thankfully, has now been accomplished. Going forward we will work on the old phrase, ‘many hands make for light work’. Your volunteer contribution will help Habitat raise $100k from our recycling operations at Gibsons and Sechelt.
John Leech
Board Vice Chair
Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast
While Indigenous History Month is coming to an end, the responsibilities of allyship should be permanent. If you are non-Indigenous, continue to utilize the many valuable resources that exist and honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples every day. Learn more yourself, and start conversations with your family, friends, and community.
National Indigenous Peoples Day 2021
Today is Indigenous Peoples Day. On this day — and every day — we celebrate all Indigenous peoples and communities, including our Indigenous partners across the country. While commemorating this day, it is important to understand what allyship to Indigenous peoples looks like. Anishinaabe-kwe scholar Dr. Lynn Gehl’s Ally Bill of Responsibilities is a helpful resource: https://bit.ly/2SqLNS0
We're Turning 30!
Habitat Update in May/June 2021 issue of Home on the Coast
Outstanding Volunteer Murray Drope ‘Retires’ from Habitat for Humanity after 17 years
Murray Drope started his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast working at the recycling operation in Gibsons in 2004. At this time, Gibsons’ recycling operation was larger than Sechelt’s. Murray volunteered Tuesday and Friday mornings, recycling in the parking lot up from IGA. He started as and remained the volunteer driver, going to and from the Gibsons Bottle Depot.
Murray has always been ‘on the job’ no matter the weather. The ‘reward’ for Murray was time to dry out or warm up at Timmy’s with other members of the team. “Murray played a key role at Gibsons recycling for almost two decades,” said Habitat Sunshine Coast CEO Mark Powell, “Murray and so many other volunteers help Habitat deliver much needed housing on the Sunshine Coast.”
Murray has held the Gibsons recycling operation together throughout all the years since, working tirelessly with Gibsons Bottle Depot to keep the building funds for Habitat coming in. It is estimated that because of Murray’s contribution, Habitat brought in more than $100,000 over the years. And Murray’s constant hard work gave Habitat a wonderful public profile in Gibsons.
“Murray was always an excellent manager and the very best volunteer any organization could ever hope for! A million thank yous for his wonderful sense of humour, his selfless commitment to Habitat’s recycling program and for being one of the most loyal supporters of Habitat,” commented Margie Garrard, Habitat’s Recycling team leader for many years.
On behalf of Habitat for Humanity Canada, President and CEO Julia Deans has proudly recognized Murray Drope for his exceptional volunteer service.
Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast is grateful and honoured to have had Murray as an outstanding volunteer.
See our very own Murray Drope recognized by Habitat Canada during National Volunteer Week!
Laurie Vance donates $10,000 (USD) TED Grant to Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast!
Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast (HFHSC) is pleased to announce that Laurie Vance, a long-term supporter and past board member of Habitat, received a $10,000 (USD) TED Grant through their Mystery Experiment program. Laurie has very kindly decided to donate the grant money to HFHSC exclusively towards the purchase of children’s playground equipment and construction of garden areas at the Wilson Creek Village.
Completion of the work will be a collaboration between many members of the community including Habitat members, volunteers and families working towards completing their commitment hours as part of the HFHSC affordable home ownership program.
We are so grateful to Laurie for her continued support and generosity!
Rich drove the Habitat truck for the recycling operation for many years, volunteering several times a week to sort and count the large loads of donated bottles and cans which provided funding for the construction of Habitat homes. Not only would he handle the loading and unloading of tonnes of recyclables for Habitat, Rich would go overtime to lend a hand with anything the team needed to operate, including planning wonderful potluck dinners with his wife Lee at their lovely waterfront home. Rich was a warm generous host, and loved to see his friends and teammates enjoying social time together. Always friendly, helpful and kind, Rich’s contributions to Habitat will live on by way of the happy families living in Habitat homes he helped provide, and in the sweet memories he leaves all his Habitat friends with.
Habitat's 2020 Recap in the Coast Reporter
Habitat in November/December 2020 issue of Home on the Coast
ReStore Silent Auction!
We’re holding a Silent Auction at the ReStore! Come stop by to look at these two beautiful Robert Bateman prints and place a bid! Starting bid for the Great Horned Owl is $300.00, and starting bid for the Big Horn Sheep is $250.00. Bidding ends September 30th. Good luck and thank you!
Habitat Sunshine Coast is so grateful to have been the partner charity for the August 28th and August 29th Sechelt Drive-Ins. Thanks to everyone who came out to see E.T. and Jaws, we had two great sold out nights with you all. A big thank you to Fresh-Air Cinemas, Fortis BC, District of Sechelt and our volunteers for making the event possible!
New Board Members & Habitat 2020 AGM in Coast Reporter
Habitat Village keeps growing - New Coast Reporter Article
"True Love at the Village" article in Spring 2020 issue of Zoom Magazine
Habitat Highlights
