August 22, 2012 - The Peterborough Petes announced their title sponsorship of a new Habitat for Humanity Project slated to begin this September. The Petes have partnered with two other respected community organizations, Habitat for Humanity and the Peterborough Rotary Club to help local youth make a tangible difference, building a single detached affordable home and making the dream of homeownership a reality for one more local family.
The Home of the Petes will be the first home built by Habitat Youth Program (HYP), a new initiative aimed at engaging local youth and giving them the opportunity to advocate for those in need of affordable housing, fundraise and actually build Habitat homes. Kenner High School’s Senior Construction Program will be building the home Monday to Friday from Sept to March and teams of other youth will be encouraged to volunteer on Saturdays.
HYP, Peterborough Rotary and the Petes have many fundraising events planned throughout the fall and winter to raise funds to construct the home including Fan Fest, a Petes Gala, and 5 HYP designated Petes nights. “The Petes are very pleased to be a partner with Habitat for Humanity and the Rotary Club in this very exciting project” says Jim Devlin, Petes president. Both organizations have done so much for our community over the years and if our involvement assists to assure success of this new initiative, once again the community at large is a winner”.
The Peterborough Rotary Club has chosen HYP to become their multi-year partner, along with providing mentors and volunteers for the build, the Club has committed $100,000 to the program. “We are very excited to be a premiere sponsor of the HYP program that reflects the ideals of Rotary – working with our new generations, being youth & young adults; and poverty reduction by providing affordable housing. Our 1.2 million members in 180 countries take pride in fulfilling Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.” says Karen Wilson, Chair of Rotary’s HYP committee.
HYP has established a Youth Council to oversee the Habitat Youth Program. “These young people are motivated by a need to positively impact the lives of youth in our community and around the world”, says Sarah Tate, Habitat Executive Director . “The HYP Council will be reaching out to area schools, associations and the community at large in an effort to cultivate a spirit of action and advocacy, providing them with a greater sense of social justice and responsibility”.
HYP is currently recruiting youth volunteers (elementary to post-secondary). To learn more about the Home of the Petes Project or to join HYP, visit www.homeofthepetes.ca or www.habitatforhumanity.ca for more information or call the Habitat office at 705-750-1456.
