Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area's first-ever Canadian Pride Build

LGBTTIQQ2SA volunteers and supporters come together to raise funds and help build homes and hope in Toronto

TORONTO, June 19, 2014 /CNW/ - On June 21, 2014, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will kick off Pride Week by hosting Canada's first ever Pride Build. Over 40 volunteers will help build walls and floors in the charity's Home Building Facility for a six-home site in Toronto's east end. Leading up to the build day, each participant is challenged to raise $250 each toward the event goal of $10,000.

"We are excited to welcome the LGBTTIQQ2SA community as partners in building and promoting affordable home ownership" says Ene Underwood, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area.  "This is a great way to kick-off Pride week and a great way to make a statement about the critical need for affordable homes for all communities."

Pride Builds, or "Rainbow Builds," have gained traction over the past few years as publicized annual events hosted by several U.S. Habitat affiliates. With the world watching as Canada hosts its first ever World-Pride celebration this year, Habitat GTA believes this is the ideal time to introduce the grassroots energy and impact of Pride Builds in Canada.

Event Schedule

What:	Habitat for Humanity GTA Pride Build
When:	Saturday June 21, 2014 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where:	Habitat Home Building Facility, 1100 Caledonia Rd, Toronto ON
Who:	Devotee, Rev. Brent Hawkes, Pride Parade Grand Marshal
	Co-Emcee, Austin Delaney, Reporter, CTV News Toronto
	Co-Emcee, Ashley Rowe, Reporter, CTV News Toronto
	Ene Underwood, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area
	Keynote speaker, Enza "Supermodel" Anderson, Trans-woman and community activist

How Habitat for Humanity GTA's work, directly impacts the LGBT community
Habitat for Humanity GTA has seen that LGBT communities disproportionately contend with inadequate housing at critical points in their lives – namely in their youth and elder years. Habitat GTA has partnered with such service providers as the 519 Church Street Community Centre to help educate youth on the need for affordable housing across the GTA. Also, through their year-round Adopt-a-Day program, Habitat GTA has enjoyed the partnership of countless community organizations, faith groups, elected officials, and other individuals who work closely with LGBT groups to assist in the hands-on building of Habitat homes.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area
Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (Habitat GTA) is a non-profit housing organization that mobilizes volunteers and community partners in providing affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. On April 1, 2014, the Habitat for Humanity affiliates of Brampton Caledon, Toronto, and York Region legally amalgamated into one new affiliate serving all three regions forming Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area.

One hundred percent of all Habitat GTA's administrative and fundraising costs are paid for by the operation of nine ReStore locations. Habitat ReStores sell new and gently-used donated building and household products. Every 5.5 minutes, Habitat for Humanity helps a family improve their housing situation somewhere in the world.

***MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND INTERVIEWS WILL BE AVAILABLE***

Please visit habitatgta.ca/pridebuild2014 for more information on Habitat for Humanity GTA's Pride Build 2014.

Please visit habitatgta.ca for more information on Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area.

SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity Toronto

For more information or media requests, please contact: Joanna M. Dwyer, Director, Marketing & Communications, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, C: 416-277-3064 | T: 416-755-7353 ext. 259 | E: [email protected]