MennoHomes

a response to the need for affordable housing

 
About Us
Mission Statement

To provide and operate non-profit residential accommodations exclusively for:

  • Persons of low income;
  • Senior citizens primarily of low or modest income;
  • Disabled persons primarily of low or modest income.


 

Martin BuhrMartin Buhr - President

Involved with MennoHomes Inc. from its inception in 2001 with Pauline and has been President from 2001 to present.

Born in Manitoba to a mixed farm couple – second youngest of nine children.

He attended Gr. 12 at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, Manitoba, attended Canadian Mennonite Bible College for one year (1959-60), overseas volunteer in Taiwan (1960-63) under the General Conference Mennonite Church’s Missions Pax program based at the Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien.

Writer in news department of MCC world headquarters Akron, PA 1963-65

Moved to Waterloo, ON in 1965 to attend the University of Waterloo., worked with the Ministry of Community and Social Services (1967-78), graduate of the Wilfrid Laurier School of Social Work with a MSW degree.

Executive Director of House of Friendship from 1978-98.

Enjoyed three SOOP experiences with wife Pauline in 1998-99.

Martin is a member of Stirling Ave. Mennonite Church, Kitchener.

Most significant achievement was marriage of 43 years to Pauline Sawatzky of North Newton, Kansas who died December 16, 2007.

Father of two daughters and one son; and grandfather of two granddaughters and three grandsons.
 

 

David BechtelDavid Bechtel - Treasurer

Dave became a MennoHomes board member in 2005 and is currently Treasurer.

Dave is retired after following careers: as a business partner in building supplies and house construction, manager of a non-profit housing and long term care facility, finance manager for long term care facility, and financial planning positions.

Currently enjoying various volunteer opportunities, Dave and his wife, Muriel, have two adult children and two grand children to keep them young. They are members at Preston Mennonite Church in Cambridge.
 

 

Murray LeisMurray Leis - Board Member

Murray was born in Listowel and raised on a dairy farm north of Stratford Ontario.

He graduated from Northwestern Secondary School, Stratford. Murray received his Carpentry licence from George Brown College, Toronto.

He volunteered one year in Columbus, Ohio with MVS in 1980.

He is the owner of Murray Leis Construction since 1981.

Murray and his wife, Marilyn, have one daughter who is currently attending University of Waterloo. They are active members of Crosshill Mennonite Church.
 

 

Jenn WhiteJenn White - Board Member

Joined MennoHomes Board as MCC representative in 2008.

She grew up on a dairy farm just south of Mount Forest and is the oldest of three children.

Her parents still live on the original White family farm first settled over 100 years ago.

Graduated in 2004 at Trinity Western University in B.C. with bachelor’s degree in Political Science. In December 2004 under MCC became Coordinator of Circle of Friends at Mary’s Place.

Big Sister since 2007.

Is a member of St. Agatha Mennonite Church.

 

Gerald MorrisonGerald Morrison - Board Chair

Gerald became a MennoHomes board member in 2004.

He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a B.A. in Accountancy from the University of Waterloo.

Prior to joining MEDA in 1997, Gerald worked in public accounting for four years.

He has completed internal audits and consultancies in 10 countries.

Gerald, his wife, Barb, and their two children are members of Bloomingdale Mennonite Church.

 

 

Dorene Rudy-SnyderDorene Rudy-Snyder - Secretary

Became a MennoHomes Board Member in 2002 and currently serves as Board Secretary.

Dorene, as a volunteer MCC Service Worker, served as MennoHomes first Community Service Worker 2004-2006.

Semi retired after 21 years at Erb, she works one day a week for Erb Transport as Director of Donations and Sponsorships.

She is a graduate of Rockway Mennonite School, and has a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Conestoga College.

She has enjoyed a variety of careers: Waterloo College Library Assistant, University of Western Ontario Library Assistant, Stanley Park Rosemount Cooperative Preschool Supervisor, Exchange Business Magazine Sales Manager and Editor, and Director of Human Resources for the Erb Group of Companies.

Her volunteer experiences have been with New Hamburg Community Services now known as Wilmot Family Resource Centre, and Waterloo Region Non-Profit Housing.

Presently she is a member of Waterloo Region Housing Coalition.

She is organist at her home church – St. Agatha Mennonite where her husband Doug is pastor. She and Doug together have five children, and eight grandchildren, whom they thoroughly enjoy.
 

 

Margaret NallyMargaret Nally - Board Member

Margaret joined MennoHomes Board in 2005.

She is a spiritual director, and chaplain for Mary’s Place in Kitchener, ON.

In addition to Menno Homes, Margaret is involved with Circle of Friends.

She served a short term in Guatemala, Brazil, Palestine, and West Africa.

Margaret and her husband, Bob, live in Waterloo, Ontario and have two daughters and two grandsons.

They are members of K–W House Church.
 

 

Mike StrathdeeMike Strathdee - Ex-Officio

Mike has been an Ex-Officio member of MennoHomes since its inception in 2001.

He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Stewardship Consultant with Mennonite Foundation of Canada’s Kitchener office.

Prior to joining MFC in 1999, he was a business reporter for the Record.

Mike received a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1989.  He completed the Canadian Securities Course in 1996, the Canadian Securities Institute’s Professional Financial Planning Course in 1999, Georgian College’s Planned Giving course in 2000, the Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) designation from the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies in 2005, and the CFP designation from the Financial Planners Standards Council in 2007.

Mike, his wife, Carolyn, and their two daughters Ella and Kate, live in Kitchener. They are active members of Breslau Mennonite Church.