Students across Canada help build homes for families in need

Genworth Canada grants $125,000 to Habitat for Humanity Canada through national writing contest

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Genworth Canada is pleased to announce the winners of its eighth annual Meaning of Home writing contest in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada. This year, 11-year-old Tyler of Airdrie, Alberta won the grand prize, enabling him to help build a home for a family in need by directing a $60,000 grant from Genworth Canada to a Canadian Habitat for Humanity affiliate of his choice. Tyler's entry was selected among more than 7,000 submissions from grade 4, 5 and 6 students across the country.

"This year marks our 20^th Anniversary of helping Canadian families achieve the dream of homeownership and nothing demonstrates that commitment better than our Meaning of Home contest," said Stuart Levings, President & CEO of Genworth Canada. "Giving children an opportunity to be heard and make a positive difference in their communities is something of which we are very proud."

Tyler's entry (excerpt below) is evidence that one is never too young to appreciate the importance of having a place to call home:

Days filled with emotions
With laughter and tears
And even on days when it's all little fears

There are days to be shared
And memories made
The love found in a home
Will never, ever fade

"We are grateful for our partnership with Genworth Canada and the growing success of the Meaning of Home contest," said Mark Rodgers, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. "With $5 being donated by Genworth for every entry received, we want to make sure that every participating student knows that their words are helping another family get closer to owning a safe and decent home they can afford."

Tyler has chosen Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta as the beneficiary of his $60,000 prize grant. Six runners-up were also selected and awarded a $5,000 grant each to also direct to a Habitat for Humanity affiliate of their choice. The runners-up and their beneficiaries are:

• Ashley, Vancouver, BC – Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver
• Ella, North Saanich, BC – Habitat for Humanity Victoria
• Jaydan, Dysart, SK – Habitat for Humanity Regina
• Emma, Wasaga Beach, ON – Habitat for Humanity Collingwood
• Xavier, La Guadeloupe, QC – Habitat for Humanity Quebec
• Hailey, Dartmouth, NS – Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia

Students were also invited to post videos describing what home means to them for a chance to win additional prizes. View the winning video from Bliss Carman Middle School's Grade Six class in Fredericton, NB at www.youtube.com/meaningofhome.

To view all winning entries visit www.meaningofhome.ca.

About Genworth Canada
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 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 September 30, 2014, Genworth MI Canada Inc. had $5.9 billion total assets and $3.3 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, non-profit organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the help of over 63,000 volunteers every year and 58 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to break the cycle of poverty in Canada and around the world. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.

SOURCE Genworth Canada