TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - For the 11^th consecutive year, Genworth Canada is asking students in grades 4, 5, and 6 to consider what home means to them. Through the Meaning of Home contest, students have the opportunity to share their stories, videos and poems in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada and local Habitats in communities across the country. The contest begins October 10 and ends November 30, 2017.

Genworth Canada awards the winning student a $50,000 donation towards a Habitat build of their choice, in addition to a $1000 donation to their school.  To help Habitat for Humanity provide opportunities for families in need of safe, decent housing, there are 10 second place grants of $5,000 toward their local Habitat. In addition, Genworth will make a $10 donation to local Habitats from coast to coast for every entry received.

"I believe it is important that our youth recognize the power they have to help change the world we live in not just tomorrow, but today as well. Genworth Canada's Meaning of Home contest allows students the opportunity to think about and to articulate what a home means to them. And at the same time, students are learning a powerful lesson, sometimes for the very first time, that not everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to call  home," said Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada. 

Last year's grade 5 winner, Bensen Wilmer, directed his winning charitable donation of $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit, where a Habitat home is currently being built. Future Habitat homeowners Tiivi and Caroline, who are also Inuit, will pay an affordable mortgage and volunteer 500 hours of their time as part of the program.

"The Genworth Canada Meaning of Home contest encourages students to become engaged in the wellbeing of their community. Since this contest started in 2007, we've provided over $1,000,000 in funding to Habitat for Humanity across Canada, and we have helped to inspire over 45,000 students to learn more about the issue of affordable housing," said Stuart Levings, President and CEO, Genworth Canada.

For more information on contest rules, or to submit an entry, visit www.meaningofhome.ca.  The contest winner and runners-up will be announced in February of 2018.

About Genworth MI Canada Inc.

Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX: MIC) through its subsidiary, Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada ("Genworth Canada"), is the largest private residential mortgage insurer in Canada.  The Company provides mortgage default insurance to Canadian residential mortgage lenders, making homeownership more accessible to first-time homebuyers. Genworth Canada differentiates itself through customer service excellence, innovative processing technology and a robust risk management framework. For more than two decades, Genworth Canada has supported the housing market by providing thought leadership and a focus on the safety and soundness of the mortgage finance system.  As at June 30, 2017, Genworth Canada had $6.7 billion total assets and $3.8 billion total shareholders' equity. Find out more at www.genworth.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, nonprofit organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 56 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.

SOURCE Genworth MI Canada

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