The Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Quebec is very pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Shirlane Day as Executive Director.
Shirlane Day has been the Executive Director of the Pacific Institute since 2009. This organization, recognized by the Government of Quebec as a leading partner in the fight against bullying, is dedicated to the development of programs and services in conflict prevention and resolution in order to build violence-free living environments.
Ms. Day has extensive experience in nonprofit management, having worked for over 25 years at the local, regional and national levels with nonprofits. She has worked for many years for social, human and philanthropic organizations including the United Way of the Outaouais, the United Way of Canada and the Dr. Julien Foundation. She was recently awarded the Outstanding Career in Philanthropy prize by the Association professionnelle en philanthropie (AFP) section du Québec.
Shirlane Day is very involved in her community and has also helped establish a Crime Victims’ Centre in Gatineau, Quebec. Shirlane Day holds a graduate degree in management of public organizations from the École Nationale d’Administration Publique and a master’s degree in criminology from the University of Ottawa. She has also completed training in civil and commercial mediation at the University of Sherbrooke and in coaching at the École de Coaching de Gestion.
We are very honored that she has agreed to invest with Habitat for Humanity to achieve our ambition of becoming a key player in social real estate in Quebec through sustainable volunteerism and responsible development. We want to act in a way that has a positive impact on the well-being of families and we develop projects that respond to the new imperatives of society and the environment.
About Habitat for Humanity Quebec
HHQ, which is part of Habitat for Humanity Canada (HFHC), is a non-profit organization that strives for a world where everyone lives in an acceptable home. HHQ relies on the combined efforts of volunteers and partners to build simple homes that facilitate access to home ownership for families with limited income. It actively participates in the circular economy through its ReStore home improvement store network.
I recently moved to a lovely home on the eastern tip of the island. A friend of mine had told me about ReStore, her must-visit shop for household items. I went to the Montreal North branch looking for great finds at low prices to personalize my space.
As soon as I walked in, I saw an impressive display of handles! There were so many to choose from, including round, square, metallic and colourful. These Rocheleau handles immediately inspired me to design creative projects for my apartment! I know the Rocheleau brand, and the high quality of their handles will allow me to create durable projects.
Of course, I immediately thought of changing the handles on my kitchen cabinet doors. I found the perfect model to add a modern touch to my older cabinets.
The models on offer were so diverse that I couldn’t settle on just one. Then I thought, why should I limit myself? That’s when I came up with the idea of designing a unique coat rack to revamp my entrance hall! A few colourful handles in various styles, screwed onto a board fixed to the wall – how’s that for a useful, practical and very affordable decoration project!
And finally, before I left, I couldn’t resist adding six handles to my basket for my dresser. It’s amazing how a simple handle can update a piece of furniture and give it a second lease on life. Thank you, Rocheleau and ReStore!
-Adriana, tenant of a charming flat in need of a personal touch
ReStore is a true ally in my role as an income property owner. Even though I only have six units, believe me, there are always things that need to be done! Whether it’s a leaky toilet, a wall that needs to be replastered or a faulty light fixture that needs to be replaced, ReStore is there to help me keep my units in perfect condition in return for a minimal investment.
Recently, a long-time tenant moved out of one of my large apartments, and I took the opportunity to renovate and update it 100%. I purchased everything from tiles to paint to new kitchen cupboard doors from ReStore. I saved a lot of money without ever skimping on the aesthetics of my renovations. My daughter helped me choose the best materials to enhance the character of the apartment. Thanks to her advice, and above all, thanks to ReStore’s impressive selection, I was able to renovate this apartment with panache, which boosted its rental value!
My tenants are happy, and I know that I always get my money’s worth when I visit any ReStore. It’s wonderful knowing that I’m supporting a good cause while saving so much money!
Through an expanding partnership, Habitat for Humanity Québec and Lowe’s Canada increase efforts to provide affordable housing as part of an international initiative starting on International Women Day
Montreal, March 8, 2021 – Habitat for Humanity Québec partners with Lowe’s Canada to kick off International Women Build Week, a Habitat for Humanity international annual initiative powered by Lowe’s Companies. From March 8 to 15, the event starting on International Women’s Day will draw attention to the global need for women’s access to safe and affordable housing. This year, the organizations in the United States, Canada, and India are increasing efforts by supporting over 300 Women Build projects and women-led households, which will help women around the globe to build or improve decent, affordable places to call home.
“The Habitat for Humanity Québec team is extremely grateful for the support Lowe’s Canada has provided to our cause in the past and their continued support enabling us to enrich the lives of women-led households by providing safe and affordable housing opportunities in their communities,” said Claire Boulanger, Board Director and Secretary, Habitat Quebec. “We know that the current pandemic continues to have a negative financial and social impact on many women, making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain their current living conditions. As the need for affordable housing in many urban areas and beyond increases, Lowe’s Canada’s commitment to Habitat for Humanity in Quebec will assist us in further supporting women-led families towards meeting their housing needs and breaking the cycle of poverty.”
Habitat Québec – March 8th
With the 2021 edition, Lowe’s Canada expanded its partnership to support four additional local Habitats in Canada, as the need for affordable housing sharpens in many parts of the country due to economic strains brought by the pandemic. Worldwide, Lowe’s Companies has increased its donation to nearly $2.7 million to widen its support for Habitat’s international projects that help women and their families.
“Supporting the communities that welcome our stores, our associates, and our customers is part of our fundamentals at Lowe’s Canada,” explained Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux, Senior Vice-President, Public Affairs, Asset Protection and Sustainable Development at Lowe’s Canada. “As many things we assumed were stable became fragile in the last year, we are pleased to see that our ongoing partnership with Habitat has helped provide women-led families in our communities with a foundation on which to build a sturdy home.”
Anne-Marie and Coralie – Québec
Women experience multiple pressures as they struggle to find or retain safe shelter during the pandemic, according to a report by the Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network (WNHHN) and research from the Community University Policy Alliance on Women’s Complex Homelessness at McMaster University. Women are disproportionately impacted by a loss of income due to COVID-19, which puts women-led households at a greater risk of losing their housing. As a result, many more of them are forced to choose between either rent or mortgage, or other essential bills, such as utilities or health care.
Through this year’s International Women Build Week, Habitat Québec and Lowe’s Canada also wish to amplify the positive effects of housing stability for women and their families, especially during the pandemic. Habitat Québec remains committed to ensuring that its homeowners feel supported throughout the pandemic. “We have remained open and responsive to the needs of our female owners; including adapting mortgage payments when necessary,” said Boulanger.
Stacey and Chase during construction of their home scaled.
Lowe’s Canada and its Lowe’s, RONA, and Reno-Depot banners have been partnering with local Habitat affiliates since 2009. Through the Lowe’s Canada Heroes campaign, International Women Build Week, and focused donations in cash or in kind, Lowe’s Canada has raised over $3.9 million to support the non-profit organization’s housing efforts across the country and help Habitat homeowners improve their living conditions.
To learn more about the initiative and partnership, visit https://habitat.ca/en/international-women-build-week. Follow #BuildHer and #WomenBuild on social media to join the conversation and view stories from around the world.
Habitat for Humanity Québec, a registered charity, has been pursuing its mission in Québec since 1999, allowing homeownership for 36 families (i.e., 171 people, including 108 children) in the Montreal, Estrie, Lower Laurentians, and Montérégie regions. Affiliated with the international Habitat for Humanity organization, Habitat for Humanity Québec’s mission is to mobilize volunteers, partners, and communities to build affordable housing and promote homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. By selling these homes to lower-income families, with no down payment required and a mortgage that covers two thirds of the house without interest, Habitat for Humanity helps provide the stability needed to improve family members’ health, children’s education, and their quality of life. To learn more, visit www.habitatqc.ca.
About Lowe’s Canada
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 20 million customers a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2020 sales of nearly $90 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary RONA inc., operates or services some 470 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners, which include Lowe’s, RONA, Reno-Depot, and Dick’s Lumber. In Canada, they have more than 26,000 associates, in addition to approximately 5,000 employees in the stores of independent affiliate dealers operating under the RONA banner. For more information, visit lowescanada.ca.
Habitat for Humanity Québec would like to acknowledge the exceptional work achieved by the Université de Sherbrooke mechanical engineering students and all the volunteers involved.
We’re extremely proud to have won the Housing Innovation Award as part of the national Habitat for Humanity Canada awards thanks to their involvement! We would also like to extend our special thanks to the City of Sherbrooke as well as all our partners who collaborated with us on this project.
Habitat for Humanity Québec’s InnovHaus project wins Housing Innovation Award for 2020.
This green building project was the brainchild of a group of 11 graduating students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Université de Sherbrooke looking to find the best ways to reduce the ecological footprint of new residential construction. Their goal was to design a house that would cost only $8 per month to heat, that is 90% less than a traditional house.
The project, developed in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Québec, is the organization’s seventh project in Sherbrooke and was made possible thanks to the help of several sponsors and partners.
Yesterday, I went to my ReStore to pick up some gardening supplies. Since summer has finally arrived, I need to get the gear I need! And why should I pay full price at a big-box store when I know I’ll find shovels, fertilizers and other items at a fraction of the price at my ReStore?
I came across some used furniture on my way down the garden supply aisle. As I walk towards my destination, an idea pops into my head. I retrace my steps.
At the end of the aisle, I find a small beige metal filing cabinet. You know, the type you find in most offices with drawers that lock? The cabinet was in pristine condition, with only a few scratches. It was the perfect piece of furniture to round out my gardening project!
You may be thinking, “how can you use a filing cabinet in a gardening project?” Well, you can! I plan to convert it into a storage unit for my BBQ nook! The filing cabinet is the ideal size and made of weather-resistant material, so I’ll be able to store dishes and kitchen utensils in it.
The project is coming together at lightning speed in my head. The very first thing I need to do is head to the hardware store to find some paint to update the cabinet’s look. At the hardware store, I grab some spray paint for metal surfaces. Initially, I thought of painting it black. However, when I saw that the paint came in so many different colours, I had second thoughts. Why not be bold and add a splash of sunshine to this dark corner of my yard? I finally settled on black paint for the cabinet and yellow paint for the drawers!
I headed to the cash register with my new finds, eager to get home and make my project happen! Breathing new life into objects is not only environmentally friendly, it’s also incredibly rewarding!
When I got home, I unpacked my purchases and… oops! I had forgotten to buy a shovel, which was the reason I went to my ReStore in the first place! That’s okay; I’ll go back tomorrow. And who knows what else I’ll find!
I’ve worked as a volunteer salesclerk at the ReStore in Montreal North for almost a year now. I answer customers’ questions, help them find what they’re looking for in the store, tell them about new arrivals and so forth.
But best of all, I give back to the community. I’m donating my time to a cause I truly care about. I’ve been lucky enough in life to never lack anything. While I’m far from rich, I know that I’m privileged, which isn’t the case for everyone.
Volunteering at ReStore has many benefits for me. I get to work with kind, generous and friendly colleagues. Throughout the day, we have a lot of fun and share so many laughs! I feel useful, and I love interacting with people.
Over time, I’ve developed a kind of rapport with some of the customers, which I’ve dubbed my “regulars.” Some of them come in every day to see if anything new has come in. Sometimes, when I receive new merchandise, I know a specific customer may be interested in it. I’ll think to myself, “Madame Lapointe will love this lamp!” or “This set of flooring is perfect for Mr. Turcotte, who is renovating his basement!”
Every day that I volunteer at ReStore, I leave home feeling motivated and come back feeling a sense of accomplishment, often with a few finds in tow, which makes my husband smile every time!
