TORONTO, March 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Eleven year old Jasmine Bouchard, North Battleford, Saskatchewan, was selected as a runner-up from among 10,000 entries in the Genworth Canada 10^th Annual Meaning of Home Contest, in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada.  As one of the 10 second place winners of the contest, Jasmine will award $5,000 to help families in need of safe, decent housing build homes in Saskatchewan. The first place prize was awarded to Bensen Wilmer of Victoria, British Columbia, who has chosen Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit to be the beneficiary of a $50,000 grant to help make a difference in Indigenous communities. 

"It's extremely rewarding to see the record number of students from coast to coast who participated in our 10^th Anniversary of the Meaning of Home contest.  We are proud of this campaign which has helped to increase awareness about the need for affordable homeownership in Canada," said Stuart Levings, President and CEO, Genworth Canada.

Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 were asked "What is the Meaning of Home?" Jasmine Bouchard of North Battleford wrote a poem about home being a safe shelter, "Home is a place, to keep me safe, a home is a shelter, a place where we can be together".

Jasmine will direct her $5,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon (Battlefords Chapter) and will enjoy a pizza party with her classmates as part of the award recognition.

"We're tremendously thankful for Genworth Canada's continued support of Habitat Canada and the families we serve," said Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat Canada. "Since 2000, Genworth Canada and its employees have generously contributed nearly $4 million and countless volunteer hours working alongside Habitat future homeowners to build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. Thanks to this partnership and the Genworth Meaning of Home Contest, we've been able to educate the next generation of Canadians on how important it is to have a safe and decent home."

As part of the 10^th Anniversary, Genworth Canada's Meaning of Home Contest also included a donation of $10 per entry to Habitats across the country and 10 grants of $5,000 each to be directed to a local Habitat of their choosing.  The other runners-up across Canada included:

1. Trinity Campbell – Penetanguishene, Ontario – Habitat South Georgian Bay
   
   
2. River Doherty – St. Andrews West, Ontario – Habitat Seaway Valley
   
   
3. Samara Dolinsky – Victoria, British Columbia – Habitat Victoria
   
   
4. Kaedan Rosman – Salmon Arm, British Columbia – Habitat Okanagan
   
   
5. Nyah Barrett – Paradise, Newfoundland – Habitat Newfoundland & Labrador
   
   
6. Amanda Kavanagh – Marystown, Newfoundland – Habitat Newfoundland & Labrador
   
   
7. Bayan Assaf – Fort McMurray, Alberta – Habitat Wood Buffalo
   
   
8. Isabella Michel-Decker – Westmount, Québec – Habitat Québec
   
   
9. Nelly-Anne Robitaille – Levis, Québec – Habitat Québec

Students were also invited to submit videos describing what home means to them for a chance to win additional prizes.  View the winning video from a grade six class from Oakville, Ontario at www.youtube.com/meaningofhome

All entries can be viewed at http://www.meaningofhome.ca

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 December 31, 2016, Genworth Canada had $6.6 billion total assets and $3.6 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 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