On July 1, 2018, Karen Stone joined Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, replacing the 13-year and now retired president & CEO, Alfred Nikolai.
Stone brings more than 25 years of leadership to the position, including positions at Alberta Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, Family Violence Prevention and Homeless Support Services, BC Non-profit Housing Association, and BC/Yukon Society of Transition Housing. She was also an advocate for housing as a socio-economic right in South Africa, when she spent time practicing as a human rights lawyer. Affordable housing is a passion for Stone, making her the ideal candidate for the Habitat for Humanity Edmonton president & CEO position.
“Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is a wonderful organization that has been transformed under the leadership of Alfred Nikolai,” said Karen Stone in a media release. “It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to stewarding the next phase in the work of this organization and to serving and empowering many more families. I feel honored and humbled to have this opportunity to work with the amazing staff, volunteers, and partners that believe in the work of Habitat, as together we realize housing as a fundamental human right.”
Affordable housing in Canada is a critical need for many families. Currently, 1 in 10 families in Edmonton are in need of affordable home ownership. The charity works to eliminate barriers to home ownership, providing a “hand up, not a hand out” to families so they can afford their first home, and subsequently, have more independence and a better future for themselves and their families.
The Habitat for Humanity Edmonton affiliate opened in 1991 and serves Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Slave Lake, and Rocky Mountain House. In 2017, the organization served 51 families in the Edmonton region.
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is part of Habitat for Humanity Canada, which opened in 1985 and spans 58 affiliates over 10 provinces and 2 territories. Habitat for Humanity also operates 101 ReStores across Canada. Habitat for Humanity ReStores resell new and gently used building materials to economic and environmentally conscious consumers. ReStores keep tons of usable materials out of landfills each year. On the broader scale, Habitat for Humanity International, which was founded in 1976, has served over a million families worldwide to date, distributing keys to a new home every 5.5 minutes in more than 70 countries. The fact that “Decent shelter is something we all need to thrive” is one of the organization’s values.
Stone will continue moving Habitat for Humanity Edmonton forward as a non-profit organization so it can continue to have a measurable impact on affordable housing here in the city and, through its affiliates, around the world.
“As the largest Habitat affiliate in Canada, based on the number of families served annually and having served over 600 families to date, the board, management, and staff of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton look forward to welcoming Karen Stone to the ‘Habitat Family’” said Ian MacDonald, Habitat board Chair.
