
Three Kitchener-Waterloo Charities Receive REALTORS® Care Foundation Grants
On Thursday, January 23, Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) visited three local charities to deliver cheques totalling $20,586.20
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, Lutherwood – Safe Haven Youth Services, and YW Kitchener-Waterloo were the successful recipients of KWAR’s 2019 grant through the Ontario REALTORS® Care Foundation with each charity receiving a donation of $6,862. This annual donation is just one of the many ways local Realtors contribute to the community throughout the year.
KWAR President, Colleen Koehler said, “I am so proud to belong to an association of REALTORS® with a strong tradition of giving back to the community. Through our Every REALTOR® campaign, KWAR is helping shelter-related charities in the Waterloo region make a real difference supporting people with a variety of housing needs.”

Janine Armstrong, Director of Community Outreach (HabitatWR), Nicole Pohl, Vice President (KWAR), Colleen Koehler, President (KWAR) & Karen Coviello, CEO (HabitatWR)
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region (HabitatWR) provides a model of affordable homeownership that provides lower-income working families the opportunity to purchase their own Habitat home. HabitatWR’s CEO Karen Coviello says, “We’re very proud of our partnership with KWAR, this donation will help bring the dream of homeownership a little bit closer for a local family.”

Dr. John Colangeli, Chief Executive Officer (Lutherwood), Colleen Koehler, President (KWAR), Nicole Pohl, Vice President (KWAR), Richard Steinman, Vice-Chair, Board of Governors (Lutherwood)
Lutherwood’s Safe Have Youth services provide a safe, supportive and caring place for youth in our community who need emergency shelter and support, or planned respite. “We are very grateful to KW Realtors for investing in our community through Safe Haven Youth Services,” said John Colangeli, CEO Lutherwood. “This gift will go straight to work supporting 12 to 18-year-old youth who are at risk of being homeless right now in Waterloo Region.”

Abla Tsolu, Director of Homelessness and Housing (YWKW), Elizabeth Clarke, CEO (YWKW), Nicole Pohl, Vice President (KWAR), Colleen Koehler, President (KWAR)
YW Kitchener-Waterloo (YWKW) provides emergency shelter for women, children, and families experiencing homelessness. “We are grateful for community partners like The Realtors Care Foundation,” says Elizabeth Clarke, CEO. “The funds we receive today will go a long way toward helping women and children experiencing homelessness by meeting them where they’re at and offering emergency, supportive or affordable housing.”
Since 1993 the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® has donated well in excess of a million dollars to support local charities on behalf of its REALTOR® members.
REALTORS® believe that healthy communities depend on a strong economy, safe neighbourhoods, a clean environment, access to housing and the protection of rights of property owners. KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo Region.