OnePoint Association of REALTORS® Continues Foundations for the Future Program with Habitat ReStore Day in Bracebridge

Regional initiative supports skilled trades, youth and housing through hands-on learning experiences, scholarships and community partnerships across Ontario.

BRACEBRIDGE, ON, May 12, 2026 — OnePoint Association of REALTORS® (OnePoint) continues its Foundations for the Future regional initiative this week with the Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North (OGN). On Tuesday, May 12, students from St. Dominic School gathered at the ReStore in Bracebridge for a hands-on learning opportunity focused on housing, community impact and local charitable work.

Foundations for the Future is created and supported by local REALTOR® Members through OnePoint. It’s part of OnePoint’s annual $146,000 regional investment supporting youth, housing, and skilled trades awareness across Ontario. The initiative is delivered through collaborations with Habitat for Humanity and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). It’s designed to connect youth with opportunities that support long-term stability, career exploration and community involvement. 

The initiative also helps raise awareness about the growing need for skilled trades professionals and affordable housing solutions across Ontario. It introduces students to practical skills, teamwork, and the important role organizations like Habitat for Humanity play in supporting affordable housing. The initiative is intended to provide broader exposure and encourage students with a variety of interests to explore opportunities they may not have previously considered.

The students participating on May 12 are part of the M.U.S.E. (Mentoring Unity through Social Engagement) Specialist High Skills Major program, which focuses on community engagement with local non-profit groups to provide students with skills and training related to fields in leadership, education, non-profit, and the arts. 

Students worked alongside skilled staff and volunteers who guided them through the day’s tasks, including revamping the lighting area, sorting donations, and painting. In addition, a lunch-and-learn hosted by Habitat for Humanity representative Jane Clark helped students better understand the logistics, community impact, and day-to-day operations of the ReStore. D’Arcy Hunt, REALTOR® and OnePoint Public Relations and REALTORS Care® committee volunteer, also spoke with students about housing supply and the growing need for more people to contribute to meaningful community initiatives.

“We want students to experience environments that build confidence, practical skills and community connection,” said D’Arcy Hunt. “Programs like this are about opening doors and helping young people see the many different paths available to them. Whether students pursue careers in the skilled trades, leadership, community services, or elsewhere, these opportunities can leave a lasting impact on our communities.” 

Through Foundations for the Future, OnePoint is contributing $20,000 locally to support Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North’s mission and an additional $6,500 in scholarships that will be awarded in June to students from 13 local high schools pursuing pathways into the skilled trades. The remaining $120,000 will be distributed throughout the other regions in OnePoint’s jurisdiction, including Wellington, Huron, Perth, Grey, Bruce, and Simcoe.

May 12 marks the second of 12 learning events planned for 2026, with more than 200 students expected to participate across the region this year. Depending on local programming and community needs, these learning experiences will take different forms across OnePoint’s region, including ReStore Days, Build Days, or in-class building workshops.

“The essence of Habitat for Humanity’s mission is bringing people together to help families and individuals build homes, communities, and hope,” says Douglas Cake, Senior ReStore Manager in Bracebridge “So, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to partner with the OnePoint Association of REALTORS® and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board to engage students from St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School in meaningful work that supports Habitat’s affordable housing program in our communities."

The program responds to urgent challenges facing communities across the province. Housing insecurity is rising, with nearly 85,000 Canadians experiencing homelessness in 2025, up about 50% from 2022, and education disruptions can significantly impact this. The data shows that more than 53% of unhoused youth had dropped out of school, compared with a national dropout rate of just 9%.

At the same time, homeownership is becoming less attainable for younger adults. Ontario’s goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031 will also require major growth in the residential construction workforce. Demand is increasing just as many skilled trades workers approach retirement.

OnePoint Association of REALTORS® is a non-profit organization representing more than 2,700 real estate professionals across the regions of Wellington, Huron, Perth, Grey, Bruce, Simcoe, Parry Sound, Haliburton, and Muskoka. As a regional association, its coverage area includes 51 Ontario secondary schools, 6 Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and 13 ReStore locations.