by Sam Parnitzke, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern
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Not many people in the world know what it's like to see a Habitat Lakeside House go up piece by piece.
There’s something to be said about looking to your left and seeing a retired paper manufacturer secure a roof truss. Or on your right, the retired custodian, armed with a nail gun, making sure the support is steady. Seven guys stand in front of a wooden skeleton. With multiple generations separating the oldest and the youngest, they work hand in hand to make sure one more family has a decent, affordable place to live.

I can’t sit here and show you the “volunteer feeling.” Words don’t even do justice to what I saw. But what makes it worthwhile is being surrounded by lifelong volunteers who have a heart for serving Sheboygan County. They spend weeks on end devoting their skills and time because they believe in our mission just as much as we do. They crawl up scaffolding, walk fearlessly across roofs, and collectively lift hundreds of pounds of lumber. What stands out to me the most is the community within the community. As the guys spend hours on end, working towards a goal that will never benefit any of them personally, they talk. They talk, they joke; they debated last night’s game, and if the Packers defense had taken the next step yet. In that moment they were nothing more than just regular guys.

The truth is that these volunteers don’t need to be out in the sun for eight hours a day putting up trusses. Our volunteers don’t need to be 75 years old and still work with a nail gun like they’re a half-century younger. Our volunteers aren’t required to be gracious givers who are firm in their search to put God’s love into action. They are never required, yet they show up and do the work. What I observed and worked alongside were six other guys who inspired me to work harder because I could see their vision. I could feel their commitment.

Spending a couple hours a week on these jobsites has been one of the coolest working experiences of my life. I came in as an office intern who had very little knowledge of that side. I don’t know if I could have told you the difference between a framing hammer and a straight bar. However, I never felt lost. They taught me the skills I needed and made sure that what I was doing was right. I vividly remember Jon teaching me the precise angle to maximize leverage on a drill and Paul showing me how to shovel gravel in a way that doesn't make your forearms burn. Even if it meant measuring far more times than I cut, it was a reward to see the finished product being added to the house.

The coolest thing about my experience? It doesn't have to be just mine. Becoming a build site volunteer has never been easier. You don’t need certifications or training, even skills are nothing compared to a strong work ethic. I wish I could shout from the rooftops how much personal fulfillment comes from driving past a house you worked on. To be able to see that plot of land looks a thousand times more beautiful now than when you first arrived. To me, working on a build site means joining the front lines of mission for good. To me, working on the build site means joining the Habitat family.

Marketing Intern Sam Parnitzke volunteering at the build site for Habitat Lakeside House No. 53.

By Charlie Allis, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern

For many people, a home is more than just walls and a roof. It’s often the foundation for security, opportunity, and community. However, not all homes are built the same.

You might wonder why Habitat home buyers don’t just find a real-estate agent and buy a house. That’s because there are several crucial differences between a home bought in the conventional way and a home bought the Habitat way.

Cost and Affordability
Conventional homes are purchased at market price and ideally sold for a profit. To make purchasing a home possible, most families need a mortgage, which can carry a relatively high interest rate with the average being 6.77 percent for a 30-year mortgage in Wisconsin, according to Forbes.com Advisor data. This can be a long-term financial burden to a family, especially if its financial situation changes, due to loss of a job, for instance.

In comparison, Habitat homes are appraised and sold at a fair market value and appraised value to ensure that the home does not negatively impact other houses in the neighborhood. An affordable mortgage keyed to the family’s income makes monthly payments manageable. Habitat for Humanity also provides financial classes to help homeowners learn to budget and manage their finances. This allows homeowners to have a stable, decent, and affordable home without causing the stress of excessive debt.

The Building Process
New homes are fully built by paid contractors and laborers and are customizable in any way the buyer would like, if their budget is large enough. Buyers are rarely involved in the building process, other than choosing paint colors and finishes.

Habitat homes are built by the construction team and volunteers. The family must contribute 250 to 400 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity, which typically encompasses onsite work or work in the ReStore. Being directly involved with the organization allows home buyers to make a connection to many members of our team and community and helps them feel a sense of pride in and connection to their new home.

Community Involvement
Prospective owners of conventional homes often have limited interaction with other members of the neighborhood or community due to the limited amount of involvement in the building process. Habitat homes, however, emphasize community engagement. Families work closely with the organization, volunteers, and local supporters throughout the building process. Habitat for Humanity also offers guidance and education, which helps homeowners maintain their homes and manage their finances long-term, contributing to stronger community bonds and creating greater stability.

Long-Term Impact
Conventional home buyers are often left on their own to figure out details such the mortgage process and budgeting. For some, this can cause a financial catastrophe: According to data from Realtor.com, as of October 2025, foreclosure rates have increased almost 20 percent since this time last year.

In comparison, Habitat for Humanity helps home buyers throughout the buying process, limiting confusion and purchases that strain budgets. Habitat homes are built to be a stable, decent, and affordable home for the family to live in, and a way for a family to create generation wealth, just as buyers of traditional homes do.
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Having a Habitat home is more than just having a place to live. It is a chance to build a future in a safe, stable environment where a family can thrive.

Habitat Lakeside Construction Supervisor Derek Schultz and a volunteer construct the walls for Habitat Lakeside’s 53rd home.

By Penny Rayfield, Habitat Lakeside family services manager 

The word “home” has always had a special meaning for me. I grew up moving often, from state to state and attending 10 different schools before 6th grade. Having a place to call home was not a concept I was familiar with, so homeownership seemed like something that was out of reach. 

When I had a family of my own, providing a home was an important goal. I was fortunate to meet a real estate agent who helped us find and purchase our first home. Her commitment to finding an affordable, decent home for our family changed our lives. It also showed me the financial benefits of homeownership that I never knew existed. This sparked a desire in me to help others experience the benefits of homeownership, so I became a real estate agent. It was fulfilling to have a career that gave me a chance to help others achieve something I was passionate about – owning their own home. 

A year ago, I was able to join an organization that is also passionate about homeownership. Habitat for Humanity Lakeside is dedicated to ensuring everyone in Sheboygan County has a decent place to live and I am blessed to be part of this mission.  

I meet and work with future homebuyers through the application process, homeownership preparation, and watch their excitement and growth as they work through our homebuyer program. They embrace the education and volunteer requirements involved as they prepare for home ownership not with complaints but hope and excitement as they work to build not only their future home but others. They put in a lot of hard work over the 18 to 24 months it takes to purchase their home. 

Their resilience is inspiring. I think the hardest part for me is the home visits where we witness firsthand the conditions these families live in. Two of our current families have lived in their apartments for more than five years as rent prices continue to increase. They live with dangerous conditions such as broken windows, entrances that are unsafe and sometimes unusable, and electric wiring so old and overloaded that they must unplug one appliance to use another. At one home, the adult won’t let her children turn on a light switch for fear they will receive an electric shock.  

Another family deals with cold in the winter as their 30-plus-year-old furnace works when it wants to. One future homeowner told me the plumbing in her apartment is so bad that it takes 24 hours for the bathtub to drain. She’s looking forward to her children enjoying a hot bath more often.
 
I have heard that people think Habitat for Humanity gives homes away, but that is far from the truth. Our families not only endure living conditions most of us have never had to experience, but they also step up and do the extra work required to purchase a Habitat home. Unlike other homebuyers, they don’t get to shop for their “dream home” or even choose the location or style. All they want is a decent, affordable home for themselves, their children, and future generations.  

Future Habitat Lakeside homeowner Kewanna Ashford with her children on the site of their new home.

By Le’Shay Guy, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Lakeside

When I think about leadership, I think about building not just homes but people, communities, and futures. My leadership journey has been shaped by a belief that true progress happens when we empower others to rise alongside us. That philosophy guides me daily as the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Lakeside and now as a participant in the Leadership Sheboygan County program.

My passion for Habitat for Humanity began in high school, when I volunteered with my local Habitat affiliate in Michigan. What started as a way to serve others soon became a lifelong calling to affordable housing advocacy and helping families achieve stability through homeownership. Over the years, I’ve worked in higher education, nonprofit engagement, and leadership roles that have deepened my understanding of how communities thrive when compassion meets strategy.

When I joined Habitat for Humanity Lakeside, I knew I was stepping into an organization with incredible heart. My goal has been to strengthen our foundation — operationally, financially, and relationally — to build more homes and impact more lives. Our affiliate has grown significantly in the last year: We’ve increased donor engagement, expanded partnerships, and set a bold goal to build five homes a year in the near future. But none of this work happens alone. It takes a team of staff, volunteers, homeowners, and community partners who believe in the same vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

This year, I was selected to join Leadership Sheboygan County, a program designed to cultivate collaborative, community-minded leaders. Each session challenges me to look beyond my organization and see the broader systems at play within our county, from housing and economic development to education and health. It’s a humbling reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions, listening deeply, and working collectively toward solutions.

What excites me most about this journey is the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Leadership Sheboygan County is helping me refine how I lead — with empathy, accountability, and vision. It’s also connecting me with other leaders who share a desire to strengthen our community in lasting ways. Together, we’re learning that leadership is not a title or a position, but a daily commitment to serve purposefully.
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As I continue to grow in this role, my goal is to leave a legacy of leadership that builds beyond walls — one that inspires others to serve, dream, and create opportunities for all. At Habitat for Humanity Lakeside, every home we build represents hope and resilience. And for me, every step in this leadership journey is another brick laid in the foundation of a stronger, more united Sheboygan County.

Le’Shay Guy (left), with Habitat homeowner Teanna Zillmer and Habitat Lakeside Board Chair Diane Ebenreiter. Photo: Whitney Morales

By Rachel Hartlaub, Habitat Lakeside ReStore manager
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In November of 2017, I had the experience of a lifetime. At the time, I was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer specialist at the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I remember my boss, Kahya, going through orientation with my friend Abby (we started AmeriCorps at the same time) and me and nonchalantly bringing up the affiliate’s Global Village Trip to Cambodia. I thought “oh my gosh, how awesome would it be to go!”, but then quickly brushed the idea aside, as I was making poverty wages at the time. This is a requirement of AmeriCorps, as a volunteer earns minimum wage to truly understand and connect with the people they are serving.

My team leader at the time, Andi, hosted an informational meeting about the trip. Andi has this incredible energy about her. She was a construction volunteer who had traveled all over the world and had been to Nepal with Habitat before. I knew I would be in good hands traveling with her.

I don’t remember all the details, but somehow someway, I signed up for the trip and made it there! Giving plasma, working part-time on a dairy farm, fundraising, and a special donation all helped in paying for my trip. “When there’s a will, there’s a way,” right?

Our Cambodia trip was a “Big Build” theme, meaning that there were about 300 volunteers from all around world working to build homes within a week. Our group from La Crosse was about 20 volunteers. On Sunday we traveled from Siem Reap to Battambang by bus. Monday through Thursday we were on the build site for six or seven hours. It was so hot! We would all be completely drenched in sweat by the end of each day…thankfully our hotels had showers!

We did not finish our house by Friday, but we still celebrated with a Home Dedication. Our crew leaders were two small men with giant smiles from Cambodia, and we got to build right alongside our partner families, which was so special. Our family was a middle-aged woman and two teenage girls…maybe her daughter and niece? These houses were the size of a typical American kitchen and they were just so grateful and overjoyed to own a home.  Cambodians are so kind, gentle and humble. I couldn’t speak a lick of Khmer (I tried! Trust me.), but it is crazy how far a smile can go when developing friendships. I quickly learned through this experience that body language truly is 70 percent of communication. Without a doubt, this trip humbled me in more ways than one.

Habitat for Humanity International is such an incredible organization to travel with. They organized many excursions and cultural activities for the evenings, after the sweaty days of being on the job site. These included seeing a bat cave (NOT my favorite!), an amazing Cirque Du Soleil show, and a farewell carnival with live music, dancing, and local artists doing henna tattoos and caricatures.
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This was my first time ever going to Asia, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the experience. Now eight years later, I am still promoting Habitat trips and sharing what I’ve learned. Official Habitat affiliates are required to tithe 10 percent of their income to a certain assigned developing country to live out the mission of providing housing throughout the world. Sheboygan’s tithe country is Malawi, in Africa, and I would LOVE to see our affiliate go someday. It is incredibly moving to see this work done in Sheboygan and then 8,400 miles away in Cambodia. Because everyone deserves a decent place to live.

ReStore Manager Rachel Hartlaub (back row, center, with green scarf) and friends in Cambodia.

Our annual home revitalization event, Rock the Block, starts this week on Thursday, Sept. 25. We are welcoming more than 300 volunteers, have almost 20 repair projects lined up, and are grateful for so many generous sponsors! 

Thank you to our Community Sponsors: Van Horn Automotive Group, Prevea Health, and Pleasant View Realty.

Thank you to our Neighborhood Sponsor: Riverstone Wealth Partners. 

Thank you to our Block Sponsors: Salem United Church of Christ, Redeemer Lutheran Church, SACO AEI Polymers, Lakeshore REALTORS Association, United Way of Sheboygan County, NextStep Insurance, and New Hope United Methodist Church.

Special thanks to PolyVinyl Corp. for a generous in-kind donation.  

Rock the Block is one of the most unique and energizing ways to get involved with the community. It promises to be a pleasant fall Wisconsin weekend, and what better way to spend it than in the company of like-minded people working together to make our corner of the world even more beautiful? Our dedicated volunteers will be pulling weeds, painting fences, helping with home-improvement projects, and many of these projects will be done for homeowners who couldn’t manage them on their own. God’s love in action!
 
Rock the Block embodies an important, and perhaps lesser known, aspect of our mission: Affordable home repair. Pretty much everybody knows that Habitat builds affordable and decent homes for families, and that these homes are not free. Homeowners get a zero percent-interest mortgage keyed to their income, and they volunteer hundreds of labor hours building the home and working in our ReStore. 

We think more people should know about our home-repair initiatives. Our Aging in Place program installs grab bars, ramps, and other features that make it easier for Sheboygan County residents age 55-plus to stay in their family homes, rather than relocate to assisted living or another home. Our regular Home Repair program helps everyone with affordable critical home repairs so they can keep their houses safe and comfortable. Affordable housing encompasses purchasing a home as well as the ability to maintain it well. 

Rock the Block is the cornerstone of our Home Repair program. It is an opportunity to make improvements to homes and truly transform entire neighborhoods within just a few days. This effort is what makes Rock the Block a one-of-a-kind event. Volunteers get to see the results of their work instantly and it truly shows the impact that can be made when the community comes together. We help these families maintain affordable housing to make sure that they can remain in their homes, surrounded by the community they have built their lives in. 
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Rock the Block takes place Thursday, Sept. 25, Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in this area of Plymouth: Orchard Lane to the north, Elizabeth Street to the south, Milwaukee Street to the west, and North Street to the east. The meeting place for volunteers is at 128 Smith Street in Plymouth. 

Stop by if you’re not busy any of those days. Day-of volunteers (we will train you!) are welcome on Friday and Saturday and we’re happy for onlookers to witness our mission: Seeking to put God’s love in action, we build houses, communities, and hope. 

A scene from a previous Rock the Block event

By Charlie Allis, Habitat for Humanity Lakeside marketing intern

Habitat for Humanity Lakeside is now building its 53rd home, with Nos. 54 and 55 not far behind. By the time all 55 homes are completed, we will have helped put almost 100 children in a safe, decent, affordable, and stable home.

Here’s why that part of our mission matters more than ever.

Every child deserves a safe place to learn, laugh, and grow up. However, for many families, this expectation feels nearly impossible to meet. The average income in Wisconsin is about $50,000 a year, yet the income needed to purchase a home hovers around $87,000. Clearly, the American Dream is out of reach for many people. 

Lack of affordable, stable housing affects more than adults. Many studies show that lack of an affordable, safe home can directly affect a child’s health, both physically and mentally. 

Children who grow up in an unsafe or overcrowded home face a higher risk of severe health conditions or illness. Things such as lead paint, mold, and pests often contribute to health complications down the line for children who grow up in these conditions. Unsafe or overcrowded living conditions can also lead to both emotional and behavioral problems. Children who consistently move around often have an increased level of emotional stress. These conditions can interrupt a child’s social network, limiting their learning opportunities as well as their opportunities to meet new people and make friends.

Stable housing plays a key role in a child's academic success. These poor housing conditions are often located in struggling school districts, hindering the children’s academic potential. Constantly moving around can stop a child from becoming comfortable at their school, leading to both academic and mental struggles. It becomes a challenge for students to complete their work when they do not have a safe, quiet place to study. On the other hand, children who grow up in a stable home have a better chance to prosper academically and build the skills they need for future success.

Something as simple as a permanent home address can open countless opportunities for a family. Having a stable home address — that is, one that doesn’t change from year to year — enables families to reliably apply to jobs, open bank accounts, and receive mail. It allows children to more easily apply for college, scholarships, and financial aid. Having a permanent home address can directly benefit a family’s financial position, quality of life, education, and future. Having a permanent home also enables families to build generational wealth.

Affordable housing lets children to grow up as a part of a community, often providing them with better schooling and resources to help them succeed in the future. By being a part of a strong community, children often meet new people, learn valuable skills, and are provided with the resources to help children thrive. 
The importance of an affordable and stable place to live is undeniable, especially for children. The variety of external, physical, and psychological effects that unstable, overcrowded, and unsafe housing can cause for a child, as well as the rest of a family is clear.

​By obtaining affordable housing, a parent can help better their child’s mental and physical health both in the present and in the future, while reducing stress within the whole family and often helping bring them closer together.

Kewanna, the intended buyer for Habitat Lakeside’s 53rd home, and her children.

By Sam Parnitzke, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern
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It’s strange. Life, that is. How even when it seems so hurtful, heartless, or even just plain dull sometimes, it has this almost unbelievable ability to always work out and for the good to shine through even in the darkest moments.

That’s what I call faith. Faith is trust in something better. Faith guides many and often accomplishes feats that are unheard of. 

On the chilly morning of Saturday, Sept. 6, faith took a pile of lumber and one man’s instructions and turned it into overwhelming success. Members from First Congregational Church in Sheboygan came together to build the skeleton for what will be Habitat Lakeside’s 53rd home.
 
Their faith, along with countless three-inch nails, led them to give their Saturday to a common goal.  Instead of choosing to stay warm at home or even gearing up for a full slate of college football, they answered a higher call. By the time the sun poked out from behind the clouds, 30-plus volunteers had assembled the frame for the Ashford House. The love and faith didn’t stop there. They filled the blank pieces of wood with scripture verses and messages of kindness and support. 

“One cannot be a follower of Jesus without being of service to those around them,” says Julia Hollister, pastor at First Congregational. “Being a follower of Jesus means putting faith into action in being present with those who are in need.” 

As I sat in a local church parking lot on that chilly Saturday morning, I had a first-row seat to see Habitat Lakeside’s mission in full swing: Seeking to put God’s love in action, we bring people together to build homes, community, and hope.
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The faith doesn’t stop there. Some 32 years ago, Habitat Lakeside’s roots were established in faith. After a trip to Americus, Georgia, Habitat Lakeside founder Janice Nigh was moved by the volunteer work she saw at Habitat International. She watched as 20 houses were built in a mere five days. When Nigh returned to Sheboygan, she hit the ground running. 

In 1993, she became the first Habitat Lakeside president and began the plans to build the first house here in Sheboygan. The beginning did not come without trouble. A week before the start of the building, the construction manager unexpectedly quit. Faith didn’t take long to act, Jan remembers. “We had prayed and prayed, and soon someone called us to volunteer to be the manager for the project,” she recalls. “Faith means to this affiliate that we couldn’t have done it without God, there's just no way.” 

By God’s grace, 32 years and 52 houses later, we’re still here. Faith isn’t just in our roots; it’s the entire tree. We believe everyone should have the right to fair housing, regardless of their circumstances. Even today, we hold it true that we can do nothing without the help of God. We also hold that in our affiliates’ own Faith Outreach Committee, which makes sure that all actions follow our commitment. The faith committee also connects us with pastors and churches like First Congregational.

“This is the core of what Habitat does,” says RaeAnn Bebe, a member of our faith committee. “Working side by side with others, using the talents and resources we have been given to support another in home ownership or home repair,” she says. “Habitat builds community between the volunteers and the home buyers. Some of these relationships last long past the home being completed.”

One of these homebuyers is Michelle Schulz. There was no doubt that she saw the faith Habitat was able to provide her. “Each day it was undeniable, the way that faith and the Lord had worked within my life, but it was clear He had also brought these specific people into my life,” Schulz says.

Faith, by definition, is the complete trust in someone or something. We at Habitat for Humanity Lakeside firmly believe that God is present with us and guides us to do the absolute best we can. From church parking lots to brand-new build sites and critical home repair, from 1993 to the present day and many more years to come, faith has led us. All of us here at Habitat for Humanity invite you to see how faith can shape a life. 

A scene from the Sept. 6 wall building at First Congregational Church in Sheboygan. Photo: Adrienne Barrett/First Congregational Church

By Sam Partnitzke, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern

From the moment you step inside the ReStore, you quickly realize that it’s more than just a thrift shop. Each item donated and each item sold helps support our goal of providing affordable housing and home repairs in Sheboygan County.

The ReStore has built a community of people who work together toward that common goal. These people, our volunteers, make every aspect of the ReStore possible. Some have been with us for a few decades and others, for a few months. What ties them together is their ability to work hard, enjoy the fruits of their labor, and have fun.

“Every single day is busy but especially rewarding,” says Tom Ness, a recent addition to the volunteer team. “Every day I’m talking with people and hearing their stories. Sometimes they have a special reason for donating that they want to tell me, or sometimes they just drop it off and let me handle it.” His favorite part about being a ReStore volunteer: “Working with all the staff and other volunteers,” he says. “We just have a lot of fun every single day.”

Tom works at the front desk and in receiving, which is his main department. Here, he manages all the donations that enter the ReStore. His vast knowledge of donation guidelines as well as his personal discretion is put to the test with every single donated item. Most of the items on the floor, ready for their second lives, started their ReStore journey with Tom.

Angie Barringer spends her volunteer hours at the front desk. “I worked in customer service before I retired, so getting to spend my time talking and checking out customers is perfect for me,” says Angie, a ReStore volunteer since 2021. “I love all the staff and volunteers and I’m very glad when I retired that I chose the ReStore.” Angie’s role at the front desk/cashiering makes her the “face” of the whole ReStore. This role is perfect for anyone looking to make the ReStore shopping experience the focus of their day.

For people who love organizing, the perfect ReStore volunteer role is in merchandising and pricing. This role lets you be your own boss, meaning you're responsible for an entire section of the ReStore. Merchandisers handle it all, from receiving to the restoration room (where items are double-checked for workability and then priced) to the shelves. Gary Baris, a 13-year Habitat for Humanity volunteer, commands not just sections, but entire departments. “Every day, I would say the best part about my role is looking through all the really cool and unique things that get donated to us,” Gary says. “Basically, as soon as it's in our ReStore, it's my job to make sure it gets to the floor.”

Volunteer shifts start on Tuesday with preparations for the store’s opening at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The lights are on, music is playing, dollies and trolleys are rolling, and the spark of volunteer camaraderie fills the air. Want to be part of this? Please volunteer! We are accepting applications and, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, we’ll hold a Volunteer Open House at the store. Stop by to meet Tom, Angie or Gary and get more information on how your expertise can help the ReStore.

No expertise? No worries. We’ll train you. Oh, and you don’t need a fancy work outfit, either. Jeans, a ReStore t-shirt, and comfortable shoes are the ReStore uniform.
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You’ve heard the saying: “Many hands make light work.” What this means for us is that only by working together can we change the lives of the people around us. Volunteer at the ReStore, join the fun, and help Habitat Lakeside improve the lives of every Sheboygan County resident.

Volunteer Tom Ness in the ReStore receiving area

It all started with a case of Habititis.
 
In 1983, Janice Nigh’s son and his confirmation class went to Americus, Georgia, to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity International. “When they came back, there seemed to be a transformation in that group of kids,” says Nigh. “They weren’t real close friends before they left, but they were afterwards. And they felt like they accomplished a lot, working on the houses.”
 
Her son’s experience was so compelling that the following year, the whole Nigh family returned to Americus for another week of volunteering. The result: “I got what I call Habititis,” Nigh says. “I was addicted to it.”
 
Upon returning, she and her husband volunteered at Milwaukee Habitat. They soon found out that a group of Sheboygan-area residents were thinking of starting a Habitat affiliate for Sheboygan County. They got involved, and Sheboygan County Habitat for Humanity made its debut in the spring of 1993. Nigh was its first president.
 
The first few months were anything but easy. Per Habitat International guidelines, the new Habitat had to raise a total of $3,000 from 15 different sources. “That was a lot of money, considering we could build a house for $35,000,” Nigh says. “It was hard, because people kept saying, ‘come back to us when you build the first house.’” Despite setbacks, Nigh and the board kept going. “I just had the vision of seeing that first house,” she says.
 
Vinyl Plastics Inc. (VPI) of Sheboygan donated $35,000, thanks to a Nigh connection, and the new affiliate broke ground for its first home in the spring of 1993. Individuals and corporate sponsors, including VPI and Rust Engineering, supported the project with donations of land, money, and people power. A Blitz Build, a strategy that completes the exterior of the home in a week, jump-started the home, located on South 27th St. in Sheboygan. The home was dedicated in the fall.
 
In its first two years of existence, the new affiliate built three homes. Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity International, dedicated the third home, which was built in Sheboygan Falls. “He nailed the numbers on the house for us,” says Nigh, who completed her term as president in 1995, then became a Wisconsin state volunteer for the international organization. Even though Nigh was working full time as a computer systems analyst, she traveled around the state to help new affiliates get started.
 
Over the last 32 years, Habitat Lakeside has completed 52 homes and is building three more this year. House No. 53 broke ground in August on the Sheboygan’s north side. It’s all part of a plan to build five homes a year by 2027, and it proves that some things never change. Sheboygan County had a need for affordable housing back in 1993, and it still does. In Wisconsin, the median income for renters is $41,300 a year, and the income needed to buy a mid-priced home is twice that, at $82,000.
 
Habitat Lakeside’s need for donations and volunteers remains as strong as the need for affordable housing. Nigh, for one, would like to see more young people aware of and involved in the organization. “You have a lot more options than we did,” says Nigh, noting that the organization was launched well before the dawn of social media. (We second that notion: Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and if you want to participate in the most enjoyable volunteer gig in the area, sign up to volunteer at our ReStore.)

One thing that hasn’t changed is our mission. Seeking to put God’s love in action, we bring people together to build homes, community, and hope. “We could not have accomplished any of this without the support of God,” Nigh says. A force, one might say, even greater than Habititis.

A Sheboygan Press article from June 5, 1994, covering the building of Habitat Lakeside's first house, from Janice Nigh's scrapbook.