“When do we start building?”
It’s a question that's all too familiar to the fledgling Habitat affiliate as it gears up for its first build, slated for later this year in Streetsville.
Hiring Matthews, a Meadowvale resident and familiar figure in the Peel not-for-profit sector, is an important step in the organization’s development, said Habitat Mississauga president and board chair, Doug Clark.
“Until now, Habitat Mississauga has been entirely run by volunteers. We were fortunate to receive a three-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to enable us to hire an executive director – our first paid position,” he said. “We feel Marilyn, with her depth of experience in the non-profit sector, her knowledge of the Mississauga community and her passion for the Habitat cause, will provide us with the leadership, energy and enthusiasm that will help move our organization and our eager volunteers to the next level.”
Matthews, who steps into the new role on July 21, has spent the last 13 years working for Junior Achievement of Central Ontario, the Living Arts Centre, United Way of Peel and the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Matthews is also a longtime volunteer.
“Even before the hospital broke ground, I was a member of The Credit Valley Hospital Associates, which is now Volunteer Partners,” she said. “I sat on many committees and then became president of the volunteers from 1989-1991, which meant also sitting on The Credit Valley Hospital board of governors.”
Matthews' volunteer activities include serving as vice-chair of a Peel Regional Police Community Liaison Committee, chair of the Save Darfur Committee-United for Darfur at Eden United Church and working with Eden Community Food Bank.
“As someone who has had to work hard these past years to buy my own home, I strongly believe in the importance of home ownership to a stable family life. It is why I identify so closely with the mission of Habitat for Humanity,” Matthews said.
Habitat for Humanity Mississauga is a new affiliate of the international faith-based organization that builds homes for people in need.
The Mississauga branch is accepting applications from families interested in living in the yet-to-be-built Streetsville home.
lrosella@mississauga.net
