
Who we are
Founded in 2002, Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area is a non-profit charitable housing organization that believes everyone deserves a decent place to live.
We strive to mobilize and work with our community to help local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Thanks to the help of volunteers, donors, and community partners, fourteen Habitat families have found safe, decent, and affordable homes upon which to build brighter and more stable futures.
Our Affordable Homeownership Program
We don’t give away free homes; rather, our Affordable Homeownership Program bridges a gap for families unable to afford a traditional mortgage by providing them with the opportunity to purchase their own home.
Families who apply and are accepted to become Habitat Homeowners purchase their home through a no-down-payment, interest-free mortgage geared to their income and contribute at least 500 volunteer hours to Habitat.
Once they move in, Habitat homeowners are responsible for maintaining their own home. We help families and individuals prepare for homeownership by providing homeowner education classes, ranging from financial literacy and budgeting to home-repair and maintenance.
Our path to homeownership requires hard work, time, and dedication, but this helps ensure the long-term success of the families we partner with.
Our Roots
Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area
"We did it!! Two years since our first interest group meeting and we are thrilled to announce we are officially a Habitat for Humanity Affiliate.
I personally want to thank all present and former board members who worked so hard on the affiliation process. We also thank the original steering committee members and of course our local founder Gene Quinn for bringing Habitat for Humanity to Sault Ste. Marie. This was definitely a team effort and it shows in our strengths and patience.
It is not time to rest yet. Now we start raising money and planning for the future. We are always looking for dedicated committee members and potential new board members, however, if you only have the odd day to donate or a few hours a week we have a job for you!
We have been chomping at the bit to get this far and now we can celebrate and [be thankful] for this blessing."
- Nancy Bailey (Chairperson) in an excerpt from Habitat's Cornerstone newsletter in the Summer of 2002
Our Mission
We bring our community together to help local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
Our Vision
A world where everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to live.
Our Values
Trust & Respect: We value relationships built on transparency and integrity, and accomplish our mission through mutual support and appreciation.
Accountability & Dependability: We value responsibility and ownership for results, and demonstrate reliability by delivering on our commitments.
Communication & Collaboration: Values open communication across the organization and demonstrate teamwork through cooperation and support that helps everyone achieve greater impact.
Empowerment & Initiative: We value empowerment as a means of inspiring and engaging individuals, resulting in greater incentive for accomplishing our collective mission.
Fairness & Flexibility: We value diversity and equity throughout the organization, and uphold a balanced and healthy environment.
Previous Annual Reports
Our Mission
We bring our community together to help local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
Our Team
Our Board
Allyson Schmidt
Chair
Jonathan Kircal
Vice Chair
Diana Stoker
Treasurer
Jeffrey King
Secretary
Nancy Bailey
Director
Lorri Kennis
Director
Lisa Bell
Director
Jami DellaVedova
Director
Harvey Walsh
Director
Frank Bentrovato
Past Chair
Staff
Katie Blunt
Executive Director
Derek Paquin
Director of Operations
Joe Mackenzie
Finance & Risk Manager
Colette Linden
Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator
Arpitha Ajith
Marketing & Outreach Intern
Victor de Oliveira
Digital Lead
Karen Lapointe
Assistant ReStore Manager
Kassidee Odber
Sales Associate
Kathryn Sousa
Donation Centre Lead
Michael Flemstrom
Donation Centre Assistant
Kevin Possamai
Donation Centre Assistant

