Photo: File
On Thursday, local MPP Ross Romano and representatives from Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie and Area, HFHSSMA, gathered at the ReStore to recognize the $93,800 Resilient Communities Fund by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The project, which began on August 2nd, 2022, has delivered on its promise to update technological resources, thus improving efficiency with limited volunteers and generating more revenue.
“Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie and Area does incredible work in our community, their Affordable Home Program and the Habitat ReStore provide opportunities for low-income families to achieve home ownership,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “This investment of $93,800 by the Ontario government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund will help digitize the ReStore, provide staffing support through a Digital Lead and a new POS system.”
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Derek Paquin, Director of Operations, HFHSSMA. “This grant has allowed us to digitize our brick-and-mortar ReStore. With the creation and integration of our new robust Point-of-Sale (POS) system with e-commerce capabilities, we can now collect data, streamline donations, and improve customer experience.”
In addition to installing a POS system, funding was also used to hire a Digital Lead to facilitate the digitization over the twelve-month project and marketing funds to promote the online shop, loyalty program and volunteer program.
Katie Blunt, Executive Director, HFHSSMA, is thrilled with the outcome. “The funding has provided a flexible range of support, including fundraising and financial technology resources, opportunities, and new partnerships. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.”
Founded in 2002, HFHSSMA, is a non-profit charitable housing organization that believes everyone deserves a decent place to live. HFHSSMA strives to mobilize and work with the community to help local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. They bring the community together to help local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. For further information, visit HabitatSault.ca
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
