Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
January 19, 2005
Habitat Week to raise awareness of housing issues
During the week of Jan. 24, the University of Guelph student chapter of Habitat for Humanity will be celebrating Habitat Week by setting up a tent village on Branion Plaza.
Students will live outside in tents during this week to create an awareness of housing issues in the community. The group hopes that when faculty, staff and students walk by the tent village, they will be reminded of those in serious need of proper housing.
Maureen Crawford of Habitat Canada will speak about youth and post-university involvement in Habitat for Humanity, as well as tsunami relief efforts, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 117 of the MacKinnon Building.
From Jan. 25 to 27, a silent auction will be held in the Brass Taps, and a hat and scarf sale/awareness campaign will take place in Branion Plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing worldwide. Through community involvement, Habitat partners with families in need to help provide affordable housing. The program, which began in 1976 in Georgia, formed its first Canadian affiliate in Winkler, Man., in 1985. The U of G chapter was formed in 1996. There are now 59 affiliates in 10 provinces that have placed more than 700 Canadian families into new homes. HFH is in 100 countries and has placed more than 175,000 families into new homes around the world.
For more information about the U of G chapter, visit www.uoguelph.ca/~habitat.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, Ext. 56982.
