Welcome to the very first episode of Homes Built With Love, the podcast of Home Suite Home Affordable Housing. I’m your host, Vicky DeVocht, Executive Director, and I want to share with you not only what we’re building, but why it matters — and how you can be part of it.At Home Suite Home, every tiny home we build is high quality, thoughtfully designed, and built with innovation in mind. These aren’t shelters or temporary fixes — they are smart, sustainable, efficient homes that reflect the value of the people who live in them. Because we believe every life has measurable worth, and every home should mirror that worth.In this episode, you’ll hear the story of a father and son in our community whose struggle has inspired us to act. The father, living with serious health conditions, and his son, a young man with a disability, are surviving in conditions most of us can hardly imagine. Last winter, the father suffered frostbite on his face while hooked up to oxygen because their only heat source was a kitchen oven. They face daily uncertainty about shelter, safety, and dignity. This fall, we are building them a new home — and we’re asking you to help.You’ll also hear about how the Stratford–Perth community has already stepped up in extraordinary ways: • The early fundraisers — from the Bethel Church garage sale to the pulled pork BBQ in Upper Queen’s Park. • The downtown shop owners who donated before they even knew us, just because they believed in the cause. • The contractors, suppliers, churches, and service clubs who showed up with generosity, skill, and heart. • The unforgettable day the Christian Reformed Church SERVE team arrived with gloves and shovels — marking not just the start of construction, but the start of a movement.From those small beginnings to our first builds in St. Marys, to the new Agri-Village model we’re pioneering, everything has been fueled by one thing: community love in action. The Agri-Village will not only provide homes, but also gardens, shared spaces, and opportunities for families, seniors, and individuals to thrive together in a setting that integrates permaculture, sustainability, and affordability.And we’re just getting started. More families are waiting. More stories of hidden homelessness need hope. And there are more ways than ever for you to get involved: •Home Suite Home Coffee – our own branded blend. Buy it in bulk, share it with your workplace or church, or sell it in your network. Every cup supports housing.Visit Hope Essentials Store to support and view the mugs, t-shirts and coffee available in bulk. •“Crush the Can” Campaign – collect and crush pop cans! Bag them up and drop them at Bethel Church parking lot (first collection: October 1, 5–6 p.m.) or email us for pickup. Every can counts toward building homes. •Volunteer Your Time & Skills – whether you swing a hammer, help at events, or spread the word, there’s a place for you. •Adopt a Home / Monthly Giving – partner with us financially to ensure each project moves forward. •Visit us online – go to Home Suite Home to donate, get updates, and find out how to join in.Every home we build is proof that when a community comes together, we can move mountains. From the father and son who inspired us, to the volunteers with shovels, to the Agri-Village rising from the ground — this is your story too.Together, we’re not just building homes.We’re building hope.

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