Purpose Construction

Over

$17,407,593.00

IN SUCCESSFUL
CONTRACTS COMPLETED

406

people
employed

For every $1 You spent

$4.29

Is returned in
positive social impact

INSTAGRAM

@purpose_construction

purpose_construction

In between the wind having fun with anything not b

How’s everyone’s summer going? We’re moving

How’s everyone’s summer going? We’re moving along, planning for new house builds, our Mountain project, and our continuing work with Manitoba Housing.

We recently wrapped up a huge project, and you’re looking at two guys who had a big part in it. We started this project on Inkster back in November of 2022! We joked that it was the never ending project because it felt like we were there forever (we kind of were). Since November (nine months ago!) we completed 14 units, the hallway, and 2 foyers complete with post boxes. Napolyon (left) and Greg (right) as well as Musie (not pictured) were our principles, but overall 19 Purpose employees had a hand in this massive undertaking. We’ll share some before photos next week, but couldn’t wait to post these. We’re really proud of this one.

Today we recognize and celebrate all Indigenous pe

Today we recognize and celebrate all Indigenous people.

It’s not lost on us that there are no Indigenous languages listed on our post from yesterday. Because of Residential schools, whole generations were forcibly denied their language and their culture. It’s wrong that we don’t hear the languages of the original people spoken.

Today is a celebration of culture and heritage for Indigenous people and an opportunity to learn and reflect for all non-Indigenous people.

It’s World Refugee Day. It’s a special day for

It’s World Refugee Day. It’s a special day for us because so many of our staff are refugees. Each person has their own story of how they came to Winnipeg, and we’re so happy they made their way to work with us.

We took a lot of photos during the Purpose Homes b

We took a lot of photos during the Purpose Homes build. Catching the faces of the folks who used their skills to build this house was important to us. We asked our friends at Relish Branding to make a spiffy video that shows these folks along with some of the things that make this house, and Purpose Homes, special. We get big ❤️ watching this, and we hope you will too.

It’s easy to underestimate the significance of k

It’s easy to underestimate the significance of keys. They’re so small, but what they represent is so big.

We handed over the keys to 351 Magus this week. The new homeowners were gracious enough to let us take some pictures as they unpacked and planned for how their home is going to look. Their kids were at school, but they had already been by to pick out which room they wanted.

As we officially turned our first Purpose Home over to its new owners, we’re getting started on two more! We’ll share progress on them, and we’ll share how people can apply to purchase them well ahead of the homes being finished.
#purposehomes

It’s wild that you can distill months of hard wo

It’s wild that you can distill months of hard work into thirty seconds, but that’s what we’ve done! Our first Purpose Home is finished and a family of five will be moving in at the end of the month. We’re so excited for them to our down roots and make this house their home. As they’re moving in, we’re getting started on our next TWO house builds! Here’s to two more affordable homes for families who need them in 2023!
#purposehomes

Yesterday almost felt like a kitchen party with al

Yesterday almost felt like a kitchen party with all the people we love to see. The folks who came have been with us along the way. Some poured concrete. Some painted walls. Some helped behind the scenes with financing and money stuff. Whatever they did, it was great to have everyone together under one roof. Also, shoutout to Barret, Alex, and Ken, our Purpose Homes crew who look like they’re posing for their record cover.

Have a listen to some of our E.Ds speech to be inspired but to really hear the heart of why we do what we do.
#purposehomes

Is that a finished bathroom I see? And a gorgeous

Is that a finished bathroom I see? And a gorgeous front entry? Does that bedroom have lots of natural light streaming in? YES, YES, and YES! It’s ready, folks! We’ve put the finishing touches on our first home and now all this house needs is a family to call it home.

We’ve waived the qualifier that an applicant needed to live in MB for 12 months prior, because that excluded a lot of folks.

If you or someone you know would like to see the house, reach out and we’d be happy to show it to you.
#purposehomes

Cabinets and baseboards and doors, oh my! The inte

Cabinets and baseboards and doors, oh my! The interior of the house is really taking shape. You can come by and see for yourself tomorrow (Sunday, Jan 15) from 1:30-2:30. Pop by 351 Magnus to see the inside (and outside) of the house, chat with staff, have a coffee and doughnut, and pick up an application.
#purposehomes

Here’s another staff throwback to greener times,

Here’s another staff throwback to greener times, this time with Justice. These two pictures are pretty solid representations of Justice and her sunny personality. She’s been with Purpose for a year and a bit and has been enjoying learning new things. Her favourite thing to do on a job site is rolling out (painting the walls) and her least favourite thing to do is sanding. When she’s not at work, Justice loves all things manga.

Here’s to all the little moments that make up th

Here’s to all the little moments that make up the big things that happened this year. Thanks to all who’ve followed along as we built our first home, continued on with our MB Housing work, started a siding division, saw employees move into management roles, grew as a company and as people. It’s a wild and tough world out there, but we’re happy to be in to together, and with you. From our wonky heart photo collage to you, here’s to 2023.

We could all use the serotonin boost a smiling fac

We could all use the serotonin boost a smiling face in a lush, green setting brings. We snapped these pics of Greg outside a unit back in August and saved them for a cold day like today.

Greg’s been with us for around five years. He brings a lot of skills, having worked for another construction company before coming to Purpose. Greg’s favourite part of the job is painting, specifically the finished product, and he’s proud of his cutting in skills. He says “when I first started my cutting skills were kind of off but now I have a steadier hand and I think it looks really professional.” He likes having a really good plan and having everything he needs to make it run smoothly. When he’s not at work Greg likes riding his bike, reading the bible, and doing puzzles. Greg’s soft spoken, calm demeanour is a joy to be around and we’re so thankful he’s part of our team.

Our first Purpose Home is almost ready for a famil

Our first Purpose Home is almost ready for a family to move in! We’re hosting a series of open houses so folks can come by to see it and get an application form. We’re looking for a family with a household income at/under $84,600; who have dependents, and are first-time home buyers. If this is you or someone you know, come on down! Open houses are from 1:30-2:30 pm on Sunday, December 17 and Sunday, January 8, 15, and 22. Application deadline is Jan 31, 2023.
#purposehomes

One of the goals of the Purpose Homes build is to

One of the goals of the Purpose Homes build is to be a post-incarceration employer. Manitoba has the highest rate of incarceration in Canada, and a sad stat is that one in three men will be back in jail less than three years after he is released. When people are released from jail they often have no job prospects, and things like criminal record checks are a further barrier to employment.

Like many of our folks, Ken learned about us through word of mouth. Having just been released from jail, he was looking for meaningful employment. Someone he knew while he was incarcerated had recently started working on the Purpose Home so he decided to come check it out. Ken had taken Introduction to Residential Construction while he was in Rockwood and was looking to put those skills to use. After meeting and chatting with the project manager, he was hired and has been a great addition to the team! We benefit from his construction knowledge and calm presence, and Ken’s getting on the job skills that will benefit him wherever he decides to go in the construction industry.

Ken says that having a job, somewhere to go each day, where he’s able to think critically, be physically active, and work in a team is great for his mental and physical health. The sense of purpose he has in helping to build this home is something he hasn’t had in a job before, and it shows in his work. We’re happy Ken found his way to us and we’re looking forward more home builds with him as part of our team.
#purposehomes

It’s been a while since we’ve shared an update

It’s been a while since we’ve shared an update, but that doesn’t mean nothing’s been happening on Magnus. We talked about beehive mode before, well now we say we’re in underdone cake mode. That’s when it looks pretty much done on the outside but the inside still has a way to go.

The siding is done (and was done by our siding division!), electrical and venting is in, insulation is in and now we’re working on framing and drywall. Soon the inside will match the outside and we can’t wait to provide more updates.
#purposehomes

What’s great about building a house is that it’s a project with many parts that provide real world learning opportunities.

We started our siding division at the same time we started building our Purpose Home. Now that our siding folks have the skills, they’re putting them to use on our new home build. It’s a cool time in the building process because everyone working on the house is a Purpose Homes/Purpose Construction employee.
#purposehomes

Time for another look back in time. We have some t

Time for another look back in time. We have some tidbits about Magnus Ave and some of the streets around it!

Magnus Avenue was once the centre of the Magnus Brown estate, which belonged to Magnus Brown and his wife. They immigrated from Scotland and worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trader for several years. In 1874, when Winnipeg became a city, the Browns started to sell their land, making considerable wealth through real estate investments.

Alfred Burrows, the chief clerk of the local Dominion Land Office, purchased the Brown land, subdivided it, and marketed those lots after quitting his job. It was likely Burrows who named current Winnipeg roadways: Magnus, Brown, Alfred, Burrows, Salter, Powers, Andrews, McGregor, McKenzie, Parr, Jemima, and Sinclair.

Here are some historical photos showing the neighbourhood around 351 Magnus. Thanks again to Christian Cassidy of “West End Dumplings,” for the great information.

Been a minute. Inside work continues with electric

Been a minute. Inside work continues with electrical and heating/cooling ducting. Outside, the house has been wrapped! Next up is insulation and siding. What’s cool about this is the folks from our siding division are going to take care of that part. This is just another way this home build is providing training and jobs.
#purposehomes

A solid project begins with a strong foundation, b

A solid project begins with a strong foundation, both literally and figuratively. Purpose Homes has been fortunate to have the support of Bockstael Construction, specifically crew foreman Cody Doswell, for the foundation portion of our first Purpose Home.

As a Journeyman Carpenter and the site foreman, it’s Cody’s job to coordinate site activities, give the crew tasks, and generally make sure the site is running smoothly and safely. But if you ask him, it’s the people side of things that really makes his job special.

“You need to coach up the apprentices and that's one of the things that I enjoy doing pretty much above anything else: passing on the knowledge that I've gained over the years to guys that don't have it.”

That attitude has been a perfect fit for this project, where we’re using a new home build as a training opportunity. Cody said the Purpose Homes folks are eager and want to learn, that they show up on time, and listen well.

It’s important to us to partner with companies and organizations that get what we’re doing; that we’re building a house but that we’re doing so much more. In Bockstael, and in Cody, we’re fortunate to have a partner who gets it.

“Working for an employer like Bockstael, they love giving back to the community. It's not new to me. They do it all the time, it's very important to them. It's important to everyone look around the city these days. We need this.”

Purpose Homes and this first home build has been in the works for a long time and sometimes we can’t believe it’s actually happening. It’s folks like Cody and partners like Bockstael who are helping to make it a reality and we can’t wait to see the finished house. Even though Cody’s been in the industry for 15 years, he’s not sick of seeing things come together.

“I think my favorite thing other than mentoring guys is turning around at the end of the day and being able to see a difference, physical difference than what you walked into in the morning. I still find that rewarding and I hope I always will.”
#purposehomes

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