meet Matt, Zarah, Ezekiel, and Ariana
“Living room dance parties.” When Zarah pictures life with her family in their new home, that’s what she sees. Zarah and her husband Matt are the devoted parents of Ariana, 4, and Ezekiel, 3, and our newest partner family in the Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North region. While Ariana may have special needs, it doesn’t stop her from grooving with Daddy and Ezekiel to a little Stevie Wonder and classic R&B in the living room of their two-bedroom apartment. Everyday moments like these define this young family. What Zarah and Matt have also shared with their children is a love for all-things-outdoors. Always on the lookout for stroller-friendly trails for Ariana, this is a family who enjoys hiking. “We live in Muskoka! We’re surrounded by beautiful scenery. You can drive for five minutes anywhere and see a lake or a picturesque view.”
But the view Zarah is most looking forward to is the one from her own front window. “I’ve never had a garden. After we finish building a ramp for Ariana, we’ll be planting a garden.” Fueled by the desire to “make it perfect”, Zarah and Matt, a carpenter, are working hard on the finishes that will transform the Wellington Street house into a home. They are already imagining family meals and games nights around their first-ever dining room table. And moving into Bracebridge from their current rental outside of town means that Zarah and Matt will have access to more community activities, be closer to school and a larger circle of friends for Ariana and Ezekiel.
The Tkaczyks are grateful for so many things including the “way that the Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North staff supported us” and “everyone who worked with us to guide us every step of the way.” Zarah and Matt are excited and grateful for the chance to finally own a home of their own, for the opportunity to provide stability and an improved quality of life for their children… and for living room dance parties.
About Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North
Amalgamated in 2014, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is a not-for-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a safe, suitable, and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable housing. With the help of government organizations, charitable foundations, local businesses, individual community members, volunteers and other Habitat partners we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in our service area, in Canada, and around the world. Our region serves communities across central and northern Ontario, including North Simcoe County, Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipissing, Greater Sudbury, and Cochrane. Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada, which was established in 1985. To date, across Canada, Habitat for Humanity has helped thousands of families in need of a hand up. Across the globe, Habitat for Humanity has grown to become a leading global not-for-profit working in more than 70 countries. For more information visit www.habitatgatewaynorth.com.