YORKTON — Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan’s Yorkton chapter officially broke ground on its 11th home on June 11, marking 16 years of community impact and a life-changing milestone for a local single mother and her family.
The ceremonial groundbreaking celebrated the volunteers, donors and community partners whose contributions will provide a safe, stable and affordable home for local resident Jasmin and her two children.
A hand up to stability
The project represents a crucial turning point for Jasmin, a single mother who has spent more than a decade renting in Yorkton while working at a local McDonald's. The need for a permanent home became urgent following a medical diagnosis for her son.
"After having my kids, I started dreaming of owning a home," Jasmin shared. "The dream became an urgent necessity when my second child was diagnosed with ASD. More than ever, I knew we needed the stability, peace and safety of our own house."
After a friend encouraged her to apply to Habitat for Humanity, Jasmin was selected for the program — a moment she describes as an answer to her prayers. "They say when you ask for bread, sometimes God gives you a cake instead," she said. "He didn't just give a house. He is gifting us a beautiful home, built completely from scratch."
Earning a home through partnership
Habitat for Humanity homes are not free giveaways. The program offers a "hand up" to families who do not qualify for traditional bank mortgages by providing interest-free, no-down-payment loans.
In exchange, partner families must complete homeownership education classes and contribute 500 volunteer hours. Jasmin, alongside supportive friends and family, has already completed 171 hours. She will earn her remaining hours by working directly on the build site and volunteering with other local organizations across Yorkton.
Community-wide collaboration
The 960-square-foot, four-bedroom house will be built by Viome Construction. The project is slated for completion in December 2026.
Yorkton Coun. Stephanie Ortynsky highlighted the deep community connections required to fuel the chapter's momentum following its 10th build completion last year.
"A Habitat home is so much more than a construction project," Ortynsky said during the ceremony. "It's a place that can build stability, put down roots, create memories, and find shelter. Volunteers, donors, tradespeople, businesses, and community organizations come together to help turn that opportunity into a home. Safe and affordable homes strengthen families, and strong families strengthen our entire community."
With construction officially underway, the Yorkton community looks forward to watching the house take shape and welcoming Jasmin and her children through their own front door at the end of the year.
