Fundraising for odenak

At Barrhaven United Church, melodies are doing more than uplifting hearts—they're building homes.

In support of Multifaith Housing Initiative’s newest affordable housing development, Odenak, the church has been hosting a series of fundraising concerts. The first, a resounding success, brought together music lovers and advocates under one roof, raising both funds and awareness. Read more about that first concert here.

On May 9, the second concert continued that momentum. It featured not only talented musicians, but also the voice of someone who understands the importance of affordable housing on a personal level. 

Mara, a tenant from MHI’s The Haven community, took the stage not to sing, but to speak. Her story reminded everyone in attendance what MHI’s mission is truly about:

“I think I go back to when I was at my worst and how I could not get better without first having hope and safety. I think it’s one of the most important things for people to feel like they belong somewhere. The only way that people can move forward is by having this security.”

For Mara, The Haven wasn’t just an address—it was a springboard back to herself and the life she once had.

“I think that MHI built a community at The Haven – developers build buildings, and MHI builds communities. With MHI, you give people an opportunity to become themselves, to contribute to society, to grow, and eventually, to give back.”

Mara’s ability to give back today is a direct result of having a stable, affordable home when she needed it most. Her story shows what’s possible when people are given not just housing, but a real sense of safety and belonging. That’s exactly what Odenak aims to provide for its future tenants—a place where people can start over, find stability, and eventually grow into new chapters of their lives.

Odenak will be more than a development—it will be a community where individuals and families find their footing, rebuild their lives, and eventually, like Mara, be able to pay it forward.

“Because of where I am now, I am able to give back, and that is the most precious thing, I think. Having a home, and then growing and then giving back.”

These concerts are more than fundraising events—they’re moments of connection, reflection, and shared purpose. Thanks to the ongoing support from the Barrhaven United Church and all who attend, more people will one day be able to say what Mara did: that having a home made all the difference.