Poverty has been a big issue within our society. A state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Providing food and shelter is hard for people who live in poverty. They either choose one or the other and most of the time they will choose food. Habitat for Humanity recognizes this problem, and they build affordable houses for purchases by low-income working families.

In this episode of In Focus by U Multicultural, our Host Mark Aaron got an interview with the Vice President of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, Michelle Pereira. Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing by building safe, decent, affordable homes for purchase by low-income working families. They choose families that are in poverty and determine which family is best suitable for the homes.

As of 2019, they have had 5000 volunteers contributing to building 23 homes for 26 families to help build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. They also hire people for their store called Restore. So sometimes the people that they help can work for them at the store as well building the affordable houses. The Restore is it first of its kind anywhere. There have 80 Restores in Canada and over 800 across the United States. ITs receives new and used building materials generously donated by manufacturers, retailers, contractors and homeowners and resells them to the general public at greatly reduced prices 

If you want to support Habitat for Humanity Manitoba by donating to them, visit the website https://www.habitat.mb.ca/ for more information. As well check their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HabitatforHumanityManitoba

Contact Mark Aaron, our video journalist, to share your story, explore and discuss civic issues by email: markaaron@u-channel.ca