Habitat for Humanity merger official
Habitat South Georgian Bay and Habitat Huronia have officially merged under that Habitat for Huronia name. The South Georgian Bay organization had been running under the interim leadership of Huronia CEO Rob Cikoja since a walkout by volunteer staff caused a one day closure of the Collingwood Restore last October.
Habitat South Georgian Bay was one of 48 affiliate organizations in Canada, each of which operates independently. When the Board of Directors of South Georgian Bay decided to part ways with long time CEO Joy Fleury, volunteers who felt she was being treated unfairly withdrew their services. Cikoja was brought in from Habitat Huronia in Barrie to defuse the situation, and has been leading the Collingwood operation since then.
The newly merged organization will be led by Cikoja and CFO Ann Adams who have been at the helm of Habitat Huronia since 2019.
Cikoja says “The need for affordable housing is greater today than ever before. We are eager to engage donors, volunteers and municipal leaders across South Simcoe to ensure we can serve many more families with our expanded operations.”
Habitat Huronia currently has plans to complete a single family home on Christoper Street in Stayner, and projects for Angus, Barrie, Innisfil and Blue Mountains are in the works.
The existing Habitat Huronia Board of Directors will govern the newly merged organization, and already has some representation from Southern Georgian Bay. Applications for any vacant board positions will be received in May.
