By Sam Parnitzke, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern 

If you’ve driven in downtown Sheboygan after dark recently or kept up with city matters on social media, you might have encountered the discussion around homelessness. In our city, like thousands of cities across the United States, people live on the streets because their income, coupled with the lack of affordable housing, prevents them from keeping a roof over their heads.

The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a tool provided by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, reports that there were 457 people in shelter this past year, with a total of 23,262 shelter nights, for the Lakeshore Coalition District, which includes Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and Door counties. Sheboygan itself sees about 280 people obtaining services from various homeless programs a year.

Data also suggest that this number is growing every year. The numbers here and nationwide are difficult to track, however, mostly because homelessness falls into three basic categories: People who are literally homeless and who must resort to temporary shelter; those at risk, meaning they are within 14 days of losing their residence; and those who are homeless because they are runaways or fleeing domestic abuse.

The real stories of homelessness and unstable housing are chronicled There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America (Crown 2025), by journalist Brian Goldstone. Over 350 meticulously researched and movingly written pages, Goldstone explores the United States’ affordable housing crisis thought the lenses of five homeless families living in Atlanta, Ga. The families portrayed in this book are the “invisible” homeless who live not on the streets, but in extended-stay hotels, on the floors of relatives’ apartments, or in their cars. They cobble whatever kind of shelter they can because even working several jobs is not enough to rent a decent, affordable apartment in a safe neighborhood.

Indeed, the adults in these families, all of which contain children, have at least one job. Indeed, 40 percent of the people living on the streets and about 50 percent of those living in shelters have formal employment, according to Goldstone’s research. Why can’t they afford rent? One reason: Rent increases have outpaced wage increases by 325 percent since 1985. Nowhere in the United States can a person making minimum wage afford a two-bedroom apartment that doesn’t eat up the bulk of their income, according to research by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. In Wisconsin, the so-called “housing wage” is $20.32 an hour and the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

The rent increases have created a demand for affordable housing that far exceeds the supply. In the United States, there are 34 affordable apartments for every 100 families that need one, which adds up to a 7.3 million shortage of affordable rentals.

Homelessness is by no means an easy problem to solve. It takes a sustained commitment to ending the circumstances, including unstable, unaffordable housing, that harm members of our community. The Lakeshore Community Action Program in Sheboygan lists 97 different programs that offer outreach to people that fit in any of the three homelessness categories. These programs offer people a chance to fight back against and reverse their housing situations.

Tackling homelessness means addressing the problem at its roots. Habitat Lakeside’s affordable housing programs aim to provide decent, stable, and affordable shelter for as many people as possible. Every house built, dollar raised or hour volunteered supports the future where everyone in Sheboygan Country can have a place they call home. The state of homelessness is challenging, but our determination to end it is even stronger.

By Jon Hoffman, Habitat Lakeside construction manager

As winter is upon us, and we count down the days to another Christmas holiday season, we at Habitat for Humanity Lakeside are reminded daily of the importance of a warm and stable place to call home.

A place to rest. A place to sleep, a place to gather family and friends to celebrate the blessings of the past year. A place to build hope and plans for the years to come.

Home is also a place where histories are written, stories are told, and memories are built.

The holidays are a time to celebrate but also look back at the people, events and activities that shaped our year, and plan for new challenges that may shape our next year, our futures, and our lives.

As I look back at 2025, I’m most grateful for the dedicated volunteers whose efforts built our mission in Sheboygan County from the ground up since 1993.

It has been a month since my friend Clarence Goetsch went on to Glory (on Nov. 15, 2025).

Clarence and his wife, Char, have both been involved with Habitat for Humanity Lakeside since its very beginning in 1993. Clarence served on the initial board of directors, founded Habitat Lakeside’s ReStore, and served as construction supervisor for several years.

Clarence loved volunteering at Habitat, and the results of his efforts are magnificent! Altogether, Clarence had a part in building 50 homes in Sheboygan County for Habitat partner families over 30 years.

So this year, as we build through the winter, with more houses to begin in the spring, I can’t help but thinking about how Clarence will continue to influence how we build simple, decent, affordable homes.
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When we’re building a house with a family in Sheboygan County, the history being written, the stories being told, and the memories being built all begin on the jobsite, where Clarence loved to be.

By Sam Parnitzke, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern

​Families all over Sheboygan County will soon settle down for the holidays. Snow is already beginning to stick to rooftops and car windows. Thanksgiving and its promise of a golden-brown turkey and a Packers victory is right around the corner. It’s a day of expressing gratitude and spending time with family.

On Friday, another kind of spending begins.

Thousands will head to the stores on so-called Black Friday to nab deals on everything from this season’s hottest toy to a gigantic smart TV. Saturday, with any luck, loads of people will flock to local stores, including the Sheboygan ReStore, for Shop Local/Small Business Saturday. And on Monday, Dec. 1, millions if not more will tap at keyboards and phone screens to get the best Cyber Monday bargains.

By Tuesday? Well, whatever's left might go to local nonprofits to honor Giving Tuesday, launched in 2012 to persuade people to donate to nonprofits across the country. It might well be observed that, given the traditional cadence of the days after Thanksgiving, giving pulls up dead last.

Isn’t it time to change that cadence?

Habitat Lakeside has joined Early Giving Day, an initiative that wants to reverse that sequence. Early Giving Day, started by Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center in 2021, designates Nov. 25, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, as the day to support community nonprofits.

​“Before the hustle and bustle of the traditional shopping weekend, Early Giving Day invites everyone to take a moment to reflect on the needs of our community and to care for one another,” say the people behind Early Giving Day, now a collaborative of more than 30 nonprofit organizations.

With the question of affordability on everyone's mind, this is exactly the kind of outreach the community needs. Across Sheboygan County, plenty of families will have no Thanksgiving dinner. Plenty of people will have no one with whom to share that day of football and food. They won’t have cash to spend on Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday, or Cyber Monday. Who are they? A neighbor, a coworker, the person who scans your groceries at the Piggly Wiggly.

As a faith-based organization, Habitat is totally on board with the spirit of giving rather than getting. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously,” reads the verse from 2 Corinthians. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” From Acts: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” As for timing, the instructions on tithing specify “first fruits,” which most interpret as “give first.”

In our opinion, giving is the best way to express gratitude and to acknowledge the abundance many of us enjoy. Think of Early Giving Day as a way to kick-start the holiday season and enjoy a fresh perspective on what it means to give and to receive.

Thank you for your support. Together, we build homes, communities, and hope.

Photo montage: Double Vision Films, Sheboygan Falls, Wis.

By Le’Shay Guy, Habitat Lakeside executive director

​As I reflect on this past year, I’m reminded time and again that when a community comes together, incredible things happen. That’s exactly what our upcoming Raise the Roof gala on Friday, Feb. 6, at The Village at 170 is all about: coming together to celebrate, connect, and continue building homes, community, and hope across Sheboygan County.

Every nail hammered, every wall raised, and every family that turns the key to their new home begins with the generosity of people like you. Raise the Roof is one of my favorite nights of the year because it’s a chance to be in the same room with so many of the hearts and hands that make Habitat’s mission possible.
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The need for affordable housing in our county continues to grow, and families are working harder than ever to find stability. At Habitat Lakeside, we’ve made it our mission to change that story, one family, one home, one neighborhood at a time.

Funds raised at this event will directly support:

• Building more homes for local families in need of stability
• Expanding critical repair programs that keep families safe in their homes
• Continuing Fulfilling our goal of reaching five homes built per year by 2029, if not sooner

​This work can’t happen without our community’s continued support, and your presence at the Gala is part of what keeps this mission alive.

The evening will feature a warm atmosphere at The Village at 170, inspiring stories from our partner families, and a few surprises along the way. You’ll also hear how your generosity has helped us make incredible progress toward our multi-year goals and how we plan to do even more in 2026.
Most of all, you’ll feel the impact in every story, every conversation, and every shared moment of hope.
Whether you’ve supported Habitat Lakeside for years or are learning about us for the first time, there’s a place for you at our table. You can:
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• Attend Raise the Roof and bring a friend or colleague who shares your passion for community.
• Sponsor the event to help us underwrite costs and expand our reach.
• Donate to help build the next home and support the next family in need of safe, affordable housing.

​Each act of generosity, large or small, helps us move closer to a future where everyone has a decent, affordable place to live.

I hope you’ll join me and the rest of the Habitat Lakeside family on Friday, Feb. 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Village at 170. Together, we’ll celebrate what we’ve built and all the lives we’ll continue to change in the years ahead.

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