MennoHomes Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 2001 under the sponsorship of Mennonite Central Committee as a response to the need for affordable housing.

The urgent need for affordable housing for large rural families -- including Low German families -- was identified by MCC and four rural outreach workers:  Brenda Gingerich, Esther Janzen, Sue Martin and Shirley Redekop.

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In response MennoHomes is building two sets of semis in Wellesley.  The plan is to build the first semi this summer and fall as a "barnraising" project.  For example, members of Old Colony Mennonite churches in Ontario----of which many Low German families are members----pledged to do the framing, roofing and shingling during the Labour Day weekend in September.  They also will provide the fencing, both materials and labour.

In the spirit of "barnraising" and Christian community service, many subtrades from local churches have already committed to donating their services in time or materials or a combination of both.  The enclosed lists identify which trades are already covered and which ones still need to be covered.  MennoHomes is hopeful that additional trades will join with the others in covering the needs of this vital service project.  General labourers will be needed throughout.

The goal is to have the first set of semis ready for occupancy by November.  If there are enough resources, we will want to start work on the second set of semis as well.  Tenants will be selected from the caseloads of the four outreach workers on a priority basis.

Read more about this "barnraising" on the MennoHomes website.