Habitat for Humanity welcomes new executive director

NEWS RELEASE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAULT STE. MARIE
*************************
Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie and Area (HFHSSMA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Katie Blunt as the organization’s new executive director. HFHSSMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through mobilizing volunteers and community partners to build safe, decent and affordable housing in Sault Ste. Marie and area. 

“We are happy to have Katie in this role at Habitat,” said David Thompson, chair of the Board of Directors. “Katie’s knowledge and experience in the non-profit sector make her well positioned to lead the organization. Her fundraising skills will enable our organization to build more houses with our team, the community and partner families.” 

Formerly the project coordinator of the Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (SEE) Project with NORDIK Institute, as well as project coordinator of the Community Adjustment Committee, known as Future SSM, Katie brings great passion and commitment to the community of Sault Ste. Marie. She has played an active role in the community at a grass roots level by starting the Picnic Society movement in 2016, which aims to bring awareness to community owned green spaces in the downtown core, and through her support of Youth Odena, the for-youth-by-youth advocacy group. She holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from McMaster University and has more than two years’ international experience in England and Ghana, where she played a vital role fundraising and advocating for the needs of others. 

“I believe a Habitat home is a strong foundation for a family, an opportunity on which they can build a better life. Strong and stable homes help build strong and stable communities,” said Katie Blunt. “I look forward to the opportunity to work side by side with community members from various organizations and backgrounds to create better, more affordable living conditions for deserving families.” 

HFHSSMA is currently building a semi-detached home on McAllen Street in the Bayview neighbourhood. These will be the organizations 10th and 11th houses since their founding in 2002.

“Being part of the process is extremely rewarding,” explains Katie. “We have the opportunity to house two families because the build is a semi-detached home.”

All of the HFHSSMA houses are built in partnership with volunteers, contractors and the recipient families.

*************************