The Derksen family first partnered with LiveDifferent in 2011, when they helped us purchase a property that has hosted thousands of volunteers and enabled us to welcome hundreds of families into safe homes throughout the area over the years.

In both 2012 and 2013, they participated in a Build to the Dominican Republic with family, employees and friends. During that time, they took a trip over to Haiti to see the work that was beginning in the hillside community of Calvaire.

Since then, Derksen Manitoba, the Derksen family, and their many friends, have come alongside our work in Haiti. They have helped us finish the construction of Ecole L’Union, purchased the property for the Freedom Village, and, in honour of their son Kurtis Derksen and LiveDifferent staff member Benjamin Cole Brown who both passed away in 2016, have been instrumental in the success of our With Love Galas in Winnipeg.

Our work in Haiti would not be possible without the support of the Derksen community and for that, we are forever grateful.