a difference
July 27, 2006 - Poverty is a severe threat to children’s health, growth and potential yet most people feel the problem is simply too large to take on. Habitat for Humanity Northumberland and Cameco Corporation are bucking that trend.
We believe we can make a difference by moving children out of poverty housing, one family at a time. On Thursday, Cameco and Habitat announced a unique new event designed to do just that.
On Sept. 7, Habitat will launch the Cameco Women Build, which will see a new home built on Victoria Street for a Port Hope family. The build is scheduled to run through to Sept. 29 and will involve several hundred volunteers from Port Hope, Cobourg and other parts of Canada over the construction period. The family that will be moving into the house will also help to build.
The aim of the Cameco Women Build is to empower women to build and support families in their community, impact the lives of children, and make home ownership a reality for families.
“We are very excited about this project, ” said Ryan O’Grady, chair – board of directors for Habitat for Humanity Northumberland. “Women Build is about women challenging the issue of affordable housing in our communities and working together to take action. This Port Hope project extends our Cameco Women Build partnership and builds on our success of last year. We are excited to have Cameco involved at such a high level for this our first Habitat for Humanity home in Port Hope.”
The Cameco Women Build will provide women an opportunity to learn construction skills in a non-threatening environment. The program is about including women, not excluding men. Men will be involved, but women will make up the vast majority of the volunteer crew.
“When we were approached by Habitat for Humanity to be title sponsor, it was a natural vehicle for us," said Bob Steane, vice president of Cameco’s fuel services division. "At Cameco, operating responsibly means looking after the health, safety and well-being of our employees and the public, protecting the environment and supporting our community. Like Cameco, Habitat for Humanity is committed to building communities and building hope and that is a great legacy for all of us,” Steane said.
Approximately 30 employees from Cameco’s Port Hope conversion facility and Zircatec, a Cameco company, will spend Friday, Sept. 8 framing the house.
