Forging ahead, Habitat for Humanity GTA opens its largest ReStore yet in Etobicoke
On Monday June 22nd, we celebrated the grand opening of our new 16,600 sq. ft. Etobicoke ReStore. Located at 700 Kipling Ave., the new ReStore replaces its old location at 7 Queen Elizabeth Blvd. Preparing the Etobicoke ReStore for the grand opening was a community effort as staff, volunteers, and local businesses worked together to get the store ready while adhering to strict safety requirements in regard to COVID-19.We are pleased to have reopened our store in Etobicoke and to once again engage with our vibrant community of supporters in the area.
At Habitat for Humanity, we have a global vision of A world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The global pandemic coupled with the heightened awareness of the existence of widespread institutional racism has made our societal shortcomings even more apparent. We are focused on increasing access to affordable housing for families across the GTA, many of which are part of racialized populations who are disproportionally impacted by the lack of affordable housing options.
We as an organization are dedicated to helping families have a safe, decent home of their own–but that is only one part of building a better GTA for everyone. In order to strengthen the communities where we live, work and build, we need to increase our collective knowledge and understanding of systemic issues.
As the social enterprise of Habitat for Humanity GTA, Habitat ReStore donated 100% of opening day sales to Tropicana Community Services and the Black Health Alliance. Thanks to our Etobicoke customers, we were able to raise $3,655 to be split equally between these two impactful organizations.
Tropicana Community Services is a Toronto-based multi-service organization which provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. Their mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, child care, educational and employment services and youth development.
The mission of the Black Health Alliance is to reduce the racial disparities in health outcomes and promote health and well-being for people from the diverse Black communities in Canada with emphasis on the broad determinants of health, including racism. Driven by groundbreaking research, strong partnerships, and people, this movement continues to build innovative solutions to improve Black health and well-being, and mobilize people and financial resources to create lasting change in the lives of Black children, families and communities.
Thank you to all of our ReStore customers, donors and volunteers for your continued support. Together, we are building a more just, equal and better GTA for everyone.