- Words by Angela Cowan Photographs by Lia Crowe

When Sharon Conway first encountered Habitat for Humanity almost a decade ago on Vancouver Island, she knew immediately she91裸聊视频檇 found one of the great passions of her life.

91裸聊视频淚t was pure luck,91裸聊视频� she laughs when asked how she first became involved with the organization. Sharon, a certified human resources professional currently in private practice, was working at the time helping people transition back into the work force.

91裸聊视频淢y job was to help them figure out the next step in life,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淧art of that program was to give people the opportunity to see different kinds of work, and to do that through volunteering.91裸聊视频�

She91裸聊视频檇 actually never heard of Habitat for Humanity before, but when the organization showed up to do a presentation, she was blown away.

91裸聊视频淢y children were young, and we91裸聊视频檇 been working so hard to get into a home,91裸聊视频� she remembers. 91裸聊视频淲e couldn91裸聊视频檛 have done it if we hadn91裸聊视频檛 had help from my parents. And here was this organization doing it on a worldwide scale.91裸聊视频�

Despite having four young children, foster children and a career to manage, Sharon knew she needed to be involved.

91裸聊视频淎t first, it was literally just coming out with my kids and sweeping up, and it was amazing, and my children loved it. [Habitat] quickly realized I was a lot more useful on the board,91裸聊视频� she says with another laugh. 91裸聊视频淲e all serve in the way that we91裸聊视频檙e best suited.91裸聊视频�

Sharon, who91裸聊视频檇 had a wealth of experience in the construction and housing industries as a human resources professional91裸聊视频攐ften involved in building affordable rental properties across the country91裸聊视频攚as able to bring that knowledge to Habitat for Humanity. She served on the board on Vancouver Island for three years, and then a work opportunity arose for her and her husband in the Okanagan. With their four kids grown and away at university or travelling the globe, Sharon and her husband relocated to Kelowna in 2014. They both fell in love with the area, and very soon Sharon was invited to be part of the board for Habitat Okanagan.

Several years later, she took a sabbatical for a life-changing experience.

91裸聊视频淚 went overseas with Habitat to do a bucket-list build in Cambodia,91裸聊视频� she says, explaining she was part of a team of 200 people from all over the world. 91裸聊视频淲e got together, and we found out immediately we were all very passionate about Habitat, and we instantly became a team. It was amazing. I91裸聊视频檓 excited to be able to do it again one day.91裸聊视频�

Her warmth and enthusiasm for what she does is palpable. Sharon seems to have that rare gift of inspiring those she91裸聊视频檚 with to actually feel her passion, her commitment, and her heart-driven ambition to change the world for the better.

91裸聊视频淗abitat for me is the most holistic organization to be involved in. We create homes, and fundamentally, that91裸聊视频檚 incredibly important. These homes create community, and in doing that we create stability,91裸聊视频� she explains. 91裸聊视频淲e know that children who grow up in these homes91裸聊视频攖he statistics have been done91裸聊视频攁re more likely to graduate, more likely to go onto post-secondary education and more likely to contribute back into the community. When we have families that move in, we91裸聊视频檙e seriously investing into the social fabric in our communities. We91裸聊视频檙e holding onto that middle class.91裸聊视频�

In fact, she explains, Habitat for Humanity generates $175,000 of benefits to society per home, through reduced reliance on social housing and food banks, better educational and employment outcomes and improved health.

91裸聊视频淩esearch shows that for every dollar donated to Habitat, four dollars in social benefits are returned to the community.91裸聊视频�

And then there91裸聊视频檚 the environmental factor, with literal tons of housing materials being diverted from landfills through the ReStore program, she adds.

Sharon, now chair of the board for Habitat Okanagan, lights up as she talks about the current project: a complex of 12 townhouses in Lake Country. Several years ago, a piece of land became available for purchase to Habitat, and after navigating the rezoning and building permit hurdles, they were able to break ground early this year.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 an ambitious enterprise to raise funds to build 12 homes all at once. It91裸聊视频檚 the biggest build we91裸聊视频檝e ever done in the history of Habitat Okanagan,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淏ut we still need to raise money to finish the build.91裸聊视频�

Of the 12 townhouses, the first three are at the painting stage and their families will move in next April. The next three homes are currently at the foundation stage, and the last six91裸聊视频攁 four-plex and a duplex91裸聊视频攁re set to break ground early next summer.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a lovely little community, and it91裸聊视频檚 near schools,91裸聊视频� says Sharon. 91裸聊视频淭he children are so excited! They just did a tour and picked their bedrooms, and they walked the little distance to their school.91裸聊视频�

For those who are moved to get involved, there are a number of ways to lend a hand.

The second annual 91裸聊视频淛ingle Bell Build91裸聊视频� gingerbread photo contest kicks off in November, raising funds through 91裸聊视频渂uild permits91裸聊视频� and gingerbread house kits, with money going to the Lake Country build. Anyone wanting to get more 91裸聊视频渉ands on91裸聊视频� can volunteer on site, either with their own team or by joining an existing group. Or people are invited to create their own fundraising event.

The easiest way to make a difference, though, says Sharon, is to just spread the word.

For Sharon, getting involved with Habitat for Humanity was one of the best things she91裸聊视频檚 done.

91裸聊视频淔rom environmental impacts to social change, to the grassroots of a family who has security and children who have a home and can plant roots,91裸聊视频� she says, warmth filling her voice. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 no wonder Habitat is my passion.91裸聊视频�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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