For Ottawa businesses looking for meaningful ways to bring employees together, team building doesn’t have to happen in a boardroom.
Through Habitat Greater Ottawa’s corporate Team Build Days, companies can take their teams out of the office and onto a construction site for a day of hands-on volunteering and building connections with colleagues while helping build stronger communities through affordable homeownership.
The experience is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of construction experience. Teams of up to 10 employees spend a full day on a Habitat build site, working alongside Habitat staff and volunteers to help local families achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
‘You’ve made a difference for people in your community’
“There’s something really powerful about bringing a group of colleagues together to accomplish something that matters,” says Habitat Greater Ottawa Director of Fund Development Shawna Blanchard. “A Habitat Build Day gives teams the chance to connect in a completely different environment. You have fun, learn new skills and leave at the end of the day knowing you’ve made a difference for people in your community.”
Beyond the work itself, the day is designed to create an experience employees will remember. Habitat provides orientation and safety training, on-site supervision, all necessary tools and equipment, safety gear and a catered lunch. Teams also receive a group photo and Habitat T-shirt to commemorate the day.
For employers, the benefits extend beyond a day away from the office.
Corporate volunteering can provide employees with an opportunity to connect in a different environment, work toward a shared goal, and see the tangible results of their efforts. For many teams, it can also offer a meaningful way to put corporate values such as community investment, employee engagement and social responsibility into action.
One previous Habitat Greater Ottawa corporate team, from the Ottawa Construction Association, says they experienced that impact firsthand.
“The Ottawa Construction Association was honored to take part in a Habitat for Humanity build in Ottawa’s east end,” the organization says. “Our team genuinely enjoyed the experience and was proud to help put up basement walls in two homes that will one day provide stability, security and opportunity for two deserving families.”
Employees conclude the day knowing they have accomplished something together and that their work has contributed to a much bigger purpose.
Habitat Women Build: Give together, build together
For those looking to create an even more focused team experience, Habitat Greater Ottawa’s Women Build brings women from all walks of life together to fundraise, volunteer and build homes for people in their community.
Women Build is about empowerment, solidarity and leadership. Participating teams raise funds and take part in a Habitat Build Day, creating opportunities to build professional connections and community impact.
Whether it’s a corporate team looking for a new way to connect or a group of friends and family ready to roll up their sleeves and make a difference, Habitat Greater Ottawa offers an opportunity to build something tangible for the community.
Interested in finding out more about a Habitat Team Build Day or Women Build? Contact Shawna Blanchard at sblanchard@habitatgo.ca.
