Faculty of Health Sciences and the Tachane Foundation are partners in building hope

The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Health Sciences will kick-off a ten-day build project – in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Manitoba – at the University’s Bannatyne Campus staff parking lot E (McDermot Ave. @ Tecumseh St.) at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.

“We’re going to build the home on campus and relocate it to its permanent site nearby. It’s exciting because students, staff and faculty will actually see the fruits of their labour stay within the fibre of our campus community,” explains Brian Postl, Dean of Medicine; Dean & Vice-Provost (Health Sciences).

Staff, students, instructors and faculty members from the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Rehabilitation Sciences will lend a hand in building a new home for a family of three.  Michelle, a 28-year-old single mom and her two kids, both under the age of 12, currently live in a rented row house. Their future home will allow the family to experience the pride of home ownership.

Through a generous contribution from the Tachane Foundation, a major financial contributor to the build, the Faculty is closer to its fundraising target. The foundation, set up by the Sutherland family in 2008, focuses its charitable giving on Canadian Aboriginals and youth development.

Ian Sutherland, founder of the Tachane Foundation, along with the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Housing, Government of Manitoba; Habitat for Humanity Manitoba CEO Sandy Hopkins; Dr. Brian Postl; Margaret Hayworth-Brockman, Chair of HFHM Board of Directors; and Michelle the partner family will be on-site to kick off the build.

“We are excited to be back on Bannatyne Campus. Last year’s build was a huge success and we look forward to a long-term partnership with the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Health Sciences,” says Hopkins. “And we are grateful for the Tachane Foundation support. It is a long standing partner with Habitat Canada’s Aboriginal Housing program and has contributed towards 28 homes built for Aboriginal partner families across Canada.”

Studies show secure housing can have a positive impact on learning; an educated child is more likely to avoid disease, gain employment and will have more options in life. “We will be laying down the foundation for a safe and healthy home environment and putting into action the core principal of social accountability important to all of us in the health care professions,” says Dean Postl, adding this is the first joint project that will see the Colleges within the newly integrated faculty come together.

The U of M Faculty of Health Sciences is demonstrating tremendous community leadership by engaging its learners, faculty and staff in this important community project. U of M volunteers– alongside the Habitat construction staff – will actively build the house from the ground up from June 9 to 20, 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. weekdays.

Another strong supporter is Dr. Jonathan Wong, a palliative care physician with the WRHA and an instructor in the College of Medicine. He has donated over $10,000 through the sales of his Chopin CD Keys to Home. He produced the 15-track disc specifically to raise funds for the build and is donating 100 per cent of the proceeds. Keys to Home can be purchased at the U of M Health Sciences bookstore, McNally Robinson or Quest Musique.