About

Mission Statement

Providing a restorative environment, indoors and outdoors for the environmentally sensitive individual and their care givers.


Core Values

  • Who We Serve:

    canaries, individuals suffering from acute sensitivity to environmental factors.

  • Humanity First, Ecology Second:

    the use of building products having minimal impact on the health and life of our canaries, which, to the extent possible, are also ecologically sound.

  • Care and Health:

    providing living environments conducive to the restoration of body and soul.

  • Support:

    providing a retreat for those suffering from the impact of modern day building practices with environments low in volatile organic compounds and other harmful substances.

  • Respect:

    understanding the extent and minutia of reactivity in the environmentally sensitive individual.

  • Education:

    informing the public of the impact and solutions needed by canaries.


Vision

The Vision
Habitat for Canaries (HFC) vision is to design, build and operate a facility for the acute environmentally sensitive individual. Though there are many variations of this disease suffered by as much as 16% of the US population, or 48 million Americans, there are two broad categories that HFC will target: those with general environmental illness affected by today’s use modern building materials (environmental illness), and those who suffer not only from our Wi-Fi world, but poorly designed and installed residential electrical wiring (electromagnetic sensitivity).

The Design

general land layout sketch

General Sketch

HFC has acquired acreage to implement this vision. This acreage provides a substantial buffer from neighboring land uses and cellular radio waves. Initially, four nests will be constructed with a common building for reception and education. The nests, approximately 600 sq. ft. in size, will be constructed utilizing building design and materials that have a low environmental impact to the canaries. Some of the buildings will be built out of traditional solid wood frame construction (no particle board or MDF), others out of insulated concrete block, and still others out of less common materials such as (oil-free) metal. Canaries (our guests) may reserve their stay in the differently construction styles to determine which they best thrive in due to having the least environmental impact for their individual needs. With the ability to try out different housing options during their stay, one of the goals is to allow the canary to determine how best to build or retrofit their own permanent home. Another goal will be to educate canaries while they recuperate from environments that have poisoned or otherwise negatively impacted their health.

The Location
Location of the facility is in Hiram, Maine. The site is easily accessible from major highways and is approximately 30 miles from a regional airport to permit canaries easy access.

The Operations
The facility will be operated as a short-term rental facility with daily rates. Various internet sites serving this segment of the population, will be utilized to promote Habitat For Canaries. Additionally, direct communication to doctor’s offices and clinics has been undertaken. To assist canaries in meeting these costs, Habitat for Canaries, as funding permits, will provide financial support to guests who so qualify. Investigation will also be undertaken with insurance carriers and governmental services to determine what portion they would cover under medical plans and/ or grants.

The Request
Habitat for Canaries has been recognized as a not-for-profit corporation with a 501 (c) (3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.  All US donations, bequests, devices and transfers will receive a tax receipt.

The Future
Once the initial nests are built, if demand exceeds the ability to accommodate the number of canaries seeking a respite with us, we will search for additional parcels of land to expand the construction of nests. In doing so we will seek to provide separate communities for those who suffer from electromagnetic sensitivity. These nests will be designed and built with a special regard to reducing the impact of electromagnetic forces.


Behind the scenes

After suffering from a biological overload in 1998 and living in a home with toxic mold, Lindsay moved into her first healthy home in 2004. Despite the irreversible damage, she noticed that living in extreme isolation from society and incitants combined with the healthy home environment and treatment enabled her to gain ground over the disabilities. Studying from her healthy home she graduated Valedictorian from North Carolina State University in 2008 without ever stepping foot in the classroom. She now owns and operates an online small eco business working out of her healthy home. Though avoidance from incitants remains paramount for her, living in the healthy home has provided a stable and good quality of life! It is always her dream to honor God in and through her illness and life. She now feels that He is leading her to transform her suffering into a blessing for others by bringing her particular knowledge and experience to the vision He's given, namely, Habitat For Canaries.

Gordon has spent 30 years in the land development business, the first 10 years consulting to developers and the last 20 years, being a developer. He has handled the administration of developments, managing the cash flow, and supervising third party professionals providing planning, design, engineering, and infrastructure for projects from 10 acres to 1000 acres. For 18 of the last 20 years, Gordon has investigated, researched, attended seminars, and queried many professionals, which now enables him to apply his extensive knowledge to build healthy homes. He will be a valuable contribution not only in developing the site, but also in building and operating the facility. As he enters retirement (in age only) he looks forward to utilizing his skill set for the development and operation of Habitat for Canaries.

Contact

  • Email Gordon Lewchuk:

    gordonl@habitatforcanaries.org

  • Email Lindsay Lewchuk:

    info@habitatforcanaries.org

  • Phone:

    704-904-6392

  • Fax:

    833-202-8317