Building Communities…Building with Habitat for Humanity

As police officers, Paul MacKillop, Jenn McLinton, Janet Hass and Chris Tessier were accustomed to building community relationships. This past winter the four Ottawa police officers took neighbourhood assistance a step further, travelling to Bolivia to actually build communities, constructing homes for Habitat for Humanity. Over the years the team has built homes in seven countries, including El Salvador, Nicaragua, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Guatemala, Bolivia and Costa Rica.

Paul MacKillop is a Co-Leader of the team, sharing this role with Tony Bennet, a retired President and CEO with BMO Private Investment Counsel. After building twenty-six homes in eleven years, MacKillop is still surprised at the reception his team receives: “In every country in which we have built, the home owners, the local Habitat staff and everyone we come in contact with cannot believe that police officers are giving their time, money and effort to help a family in need receive shelter.”

Janet Hass is a relative newcomer to the team, having built four homes in four years. She is moved at the impact of the team’s efforts, observing that “the families have been given a hand-up, not a hand-out. Some families have started small businesses from their new homes, and are able to assist others in the community. It’s a ripple effect; it’s a new start; it’s a home that will be in their family for generations.”

Jen McLinton, a five-year veteran of the Habitat team, has volunteered to build seven homes. For McLinton the experience is fulfilling: “At the end of each day you’re covered in dirt and sweat, there’s a feeling of accomplishment. The camaraderie and teamwork displayed by this team is fantastic; I’ve met some of my best friends through these builds.”

Finally, having built twenty-nine houses over eleven years, Chris Tessier is mindful of the different relationships that exist between communities and their local police. “It is rewarding, providing a home and stability and helping to ease the burdens that these families face, but if we can show them that someone, especially police, care and want to help, it goes a long way to creating confidence and hope.” This experience is shared by Jen McLinton, who observed that “some families are dumbfounded that police would donate their time and money to help them; it’s nice to show them a different side of policing than they are used to.”

“We are really proud of Paul, Jen, Janet and Chris – their volunteering to build for Habitat really reflects the activities of many OPA members,” states Ottawa Police Association President Matt Skof. “We have so many members who are active in our communities, whether coaching kid’s soccer or hockey teams, taking kids to dance or working with community groups. For example, in addition to his work with Habitat, Chris Tessier has been coaching sports teams for two decades.”

For Paul MacKillop, the experience of helping others “provides so much perspective in one’s life.”  Janet Hass values the connection with the families moving into the Habitat homes. “Honestly, we are all the same, we want the same for our families, but some don’t have the same opportunities.”

The Ottawa Police Association has been honoured to support the Habitat for Humanity team over the years. Chris Tessier shared how the Association’s support went to good use: “The Ottawa Police Association has provided support to our team over the years and has enabled us to buy paint, beds, tables and chairs. We bought a wheelchair and sent a little girl to school for a year, ensuring that she also had a uniform and school supplies.”

Habitat for Humanity is a non-governmental organization building homes worldwide. For more information about Habitat for Humanity, or to learn how you can volunteer, go to https://www.habitat.org