Meaning of Home writing contest inspires record-breaking $440,000 for Habitat for Humanity in Canada
What does home mean to a child? For thousands of students across the country, the answer is deeply personal and powerful.
This year, more than 19,000 Grade 4, 5 and 6 students from across Canada took part in Habitat for Humanity Canada’s annual Meaning of Home writing contest, responding to the simple yet profound question, “What does home mean to you?” Participation reached an all‑time high, surpassing last year’s record by more than 1,500 entries and raising a record‑breaking $440,000 for local Habitat for Humanity organizations nationwide.
Julia, the Grade 4 grand prize winner from Halifax, writes that home is the feeling of her mom’s hand in hers when they walk to school, and the peace of being able to sleep all night without being afraid.
For Harlow, the Grade 5 grand prize winner from Inverness, N.S., home holds all of her greatest memories. It’s a place of belonging, where she can be herself.
And Ella, the Grade 6 grand prize winner from Edmonton, describes home as a drum, beating strong and steady, like her nimâmâ’s (mother’s) heart. You can read Ella’s poem, Home, illustrated by Mazie Lovie, a young artist who also grew up in a Habitat home.
Meaning of Home grand prize winners
Every eligible submission sparked a $10 donation to the student’s local Habitat for Humanity. In addition, three grand prize winners earned a $30,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity while runners-up received a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat.
Founded in 2007, the Meaning of Home contest has now raised more than $3.4 million with over 156,000 students participating to date. Beyond fundraising, the contest encourages young people to build empathy, engage with issues in their communities, and understand the importance of safe, decent housing for everyone.
At a time when too many Canadians continue to face housing insecurity, Meaning of Home offers students a meaningful way to give back, express their creativity and be part of the solution — one story at a time.
The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of title sponsor BMO, founding sponsor SagenTM, award sponsors Metrie and Stantec and judging sponsors BrokerLink and Definity.
