Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario Announces
Meaning of Home National Writing Contest 2021!
Contest is now open for parents and teachers to register their students

December 3, 2020 – London, ON – The Meaning of Home National Writing Contest 2021, in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada, is now open for registration. Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario invites Grade 4, 5 and 6 students in Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford and Perth counties to submit a written poem or essay (in English or French) explaining what home means to them for a chance to direct a $30,000 grant to a local Habitat Heartland build. There is no cost to enter, and every entry results in a $10 donation to Habitat Heartland from founding sponsor SagenTM (formerly Genworth Canada)1. The contest is open for entries from January 4, 2021 to February 19, 2021.

In the 2020 Meaning of Home writing contest, Emily Phillips from Kensal Park F.I. in London was one of nine runners-up, winning a $10,000 donation for Habitat Heartland's Indigenous build on Munsee-Delaware Nation.

"The Meaning of Home contest is a fantastic opportunity to teach students about the importance of giving back to their community," says Brian Elliot CEO Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario. "By participating in this contest, kids in grades 4, 5 and 6 are encouraged to actively participate as world citizens right in their own backyard, without needing to contribute financially. This year, with everyone living through a global pandemic, this contest's message about the meaning of home is more important and relevant than ever before."

The Meaning of Home contest offers a unique and meaningful way to get students involved in the creative writing process. It is also a way for teachers and parents to meet curriculum criteria in the area of Language/Language Arts. Some of the curriculum requirements that can be addressed through the assignment include:
  • Producing an original piece of work that encourages independent critical thought.
  • Organizing ideas and writing for an intended purpose or audience.
  • Writing to express thinking and communicate personal opinions.
  • Developing proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Fostering proofreading, editing and revision skills.

Since 2007, over 68,000 students have participated in the Meaning of Home contest. Thanks to their inspiring words, and the support of founding sponsor SagenTM (formerly Genworth Canada)1 and award sponsors Revera Inc. and Swiffer, the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $1.7 million to build homes across Canada for families in need of decent and affordable housing.
Contact
Emily Rust
Social Media and Marketing Associate
Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario
About Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario 
Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario believes that everyone has the right to the confidence, security and hope that a home provides. Affordable homeownership is key to building strong, equitable and thriving communities. By mobilizing volunteers and community partners, Habitat Heartland provides opportunities for families in Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford and Perth counties to achieve affordable and sustainable homeownership. For more information, please visit www.habitat4home.ca. 

About Founding Sponsor SagenTM
Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX: MIC) through its subsidiary, Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (operating as SagenTM) is the largest private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. The Company provides mortgage default insurance to Canadian residential mortgage lenders, making homeownership more accessible to first-time homebuyers. SagenTM differentiates itself through customer service excellence, innovative processing technology and a robust risk management framework. For more than two decades, SagenTM has supported the housing market by providing thought leadership and a focus on the safety and soundness of the mortgage finance system. Find out more at www.sagen.ca.

About Award Sponsor Revera Inc.
Revera is a leading Canadian owned and headquartered, owner, investor, developer and operator in the senior living sector. Through its portfolio of partnerships, Revera owns or operates more than 500 properties across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom serving more than 55,000 seniors. The company offers seniors’ apartments, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and long term care. With approximately 50,000 employees dedicated to providing exceptional care and service, Revera is helping seniors live life to the fullest. Through Age is More, Revera is committed to challenging ageism, the company’s social cause of choice. Find out more at ReveraLiving.comFacebook.com/ReveraInc or on Twitter @Revera_Inc.

About Award Sponsor Swiffer (AKA P&G)
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK- II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.