By Habitat for Humanity Lakeside staff

For many, going two months without being able to leave their house seems extreme. However, this was a stark reality for Lynn. “I was unable to get into the house because of the highest steps,” says Lynn, who lives in Sheboygan County with her husband, Allen. “We tried different approaches to try and get me in, but none of them worked, so (her physical therapist) suggested maybe a ramp.” 

After getting the ramp installed, Lynn is able to move in and out of the house with much more ease. “Now I can get back to my doctor appointment,” she says.

This is just one instance where a home modification is necessary to ensure older homeowners can age safely in their house.

A much-loved home can become impractical and even dangerous as homeowners age. Slippery floors, stairways, and high shelves are just a few examples of obstacles that can put them in danger. Here at Habitat Lakeside, we offer Aging in Place, a program for people 62 and older. Through this program, Habitat installs mobility and accessibility modifications to homes. With these modifications, people can stay in their homes longer and do so safely.

For many, staying in a home provides emotional security, a sense of familiarity, and is typically more affordable than assisted living or nursing homes. Another major factor is freedom. Older homeowners may want to choose their own lifestyle and simply prefer not to relocate. These are just a few examples of how Aging in Place can benefit older homeowners.

The program is offered to low-to-medium income households and is an excellent and affordable way to ensure that you can age safely in your home. The Aging in Place loan program focuses on in-home pathways, safety, and accessibility, and may include items such as grab bars, stair gates, or raised toilet seats.
To qualify for our Aging in Place program, you must be at least 62 years old and located in Sheboygan County. You must own your home and be current on taxes and homeowner insurance.

The application process is simple. After we receive an inquiry, we will send you further details about the program, and the application is provided if you decide to proceed. Applications are reviewed within two to three business days. Our construction manager then reviews the project, orders materials, and works with you to schedule a time for the repair work to take place.

Habitat Lakeside has offered this program since July of 2025. It is a great way to make sure that older homeowners can live comfortably in their homes and complete daily routines easily and safely. Just like Allen and Lynn, you can take initiative to make your home safer and make movement around the house much easier.

If you have questions or want to learn more, contact Habitat Lakeside Family Services Manager Penny Rayfield at 920.458.3399, ext. 307, or email her at [email protected].

Aging in Place is just one of many Habitat Lakeside programs that aim to provide affordable housing, home repairs, and more. Together we build homes, communities, and hope.

Habitat Lakeside Construction Manager Jon Hoffman with Lynn and Allen’s new ramp

By Altrim Luma, Habitat Lakeside marketing intern

At Habitat for Humanity Lakeside, we are constantly stressing the importance of a stable home to a family. However, hearing about the benefits and being able to experience them differ dramatically.

Luckily, I had the chance to experience them firsthand.

As a new intern at Habitat Lakeside, I went on my first visit to a home occupied by a Habitat Lakeside homeowner. Her name is Kewanna, and she has four children. As I pulled up to the street, I saw the home surrounded by vibrant green grass. Brightly colored toys were scattered around the driveway. When I walked in the house, I was immediately greeted by playful children and a space filled with warmth. Pictures and decorations, such as drawings and sticky notes on the fridge, hung all over, enriching the space and making it feel personalized and homey.

Throughout my visit, Kewanna’s kids were playing around the house, riding bikes, and making full use of their new driveway. The kids told us they had made new neighborhood friends; they will continue to make lifelong relationships, building a deep sense of community in the neighborhood. Kewanna beamed with joy as she led me around the house, and as she watched the children play blissfully, I could only imagine how she felt.

In my own life, I have moved homes twice, and each time, it was an emotional rollercoaster. When visiting Kewanna’s house, I remembered how it felt to be a kid in a new place, excited to make new memories while also feeling anxious in a new area. Having to get used to an entirely new space in an entirely different neighborhood can take time. Luckily, time passes anyway. Each time I moved, I was able to meet new people and have unique experiences. Having my sisters and parents with me during those uncertain times is what turned them into great memories. I also remember going to a new school and feeling worried about meeting new people. However, the friends I made there ended up being a huge reason for feeling so at home.

Because of this, I was reminded that the people we share these experiences with are what truly define home.
As I left the house, I had a profound feeling of fulfillment. The thought of Kewanna and her family being able to enjoy their home and make memories in it together is one that confirms Habitat’s mission, and my understanding of it. I walked down the pavement, observing the beautiful greenery planted in the woodchips, which will continue to grow with the seasons, right alongside the family.

It was this visit that allowed me to personally witness the importance of stable housing. To experience something like this for yourself, we invite you to attend the dedication of our 54th home on Monday, Aug. 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 2126 Geele Ave. in Sheboygan. Parking will be available in the west-side lot of St. Dominic Catholic Church, located across the street from the house. 

The dedication, open to the public, will include a tour of the home, remarks from Beau and Courtney, the intended home buyers, and the opportunity to mingle with other supporters of affordable housing. Refreshments will be served and, most importantly, guests will have the opportunity to fully witness the positive effects a stable, decent home has on a family.
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As the saying goes, seeing is believing.

Habitat Lakeside’s 54th home, almost finished, is on Sheboygan’s north side.

By Habitat for Humanity Lakeside staff
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On any given Tuesday at the Sheboygan ReStore, a shopper might find Betty placing merchandise on shelves or Jill tidying up the store, preparing it for Wednesday’s flood of customers.

“Next to Kohler, this is the best job I ever had,” says Betty, whose happy place in the ReStore is the bench where she cleans and prices donated goods.

Jill, for her part, is happy to sweep, mop, and otherwise make the store presentable for customers. “It keeps me busy,” she says, adding that since joining the ReStore in June, she’s gotten to enjoy the camaraderie among employees.

Betty and Jill found their ReStore positions through Indianhead Enterprises, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that sponsors the federal Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP helps income-eligible older adults build skills, gain valuable work experience, and prepare to re-enter the workforce by connecting them with part-time training opportunities. Throughout their training, individuals can explore a variety of career pathways, including roles in customer service, administrative support, retail, food service, custodial work, and other in‑demand fields that match their interests and abilities.

Indianhead works with 40 to 50 organizations, called host agencies, in 22 counties across Wisconsin to place seniors in training opportunities.

“Between the skill building and individuals’ determination, the program is successful,” says Carrie Zinda, SCSEP project coordinator at Indianhead, noting that SCSEP has placed thousands of people since its founding in the 1960s. Participants may remain in the program for up to four years while developing the skills and experience needed to transition into unsubsidized employment; indeed, they can get help transitioning to unsubsidized employment at any time. “We are a workforce development program, not a temporary staffing agency,” Zinda explains. “We help job seekers re-enter the workforce with enhanced skills, confidence, and capabilities.”

Most participants learn about SCSEP through flyers, word of mouth, the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, veterans’ organizations, and other community partners. Once placed with a host agency, participants receive paid, on-the-job training, with wages funded through the SCSEP program.

Zinda counts off several ways Indianhead’s program benefits job seekers: They earn money and stay competitive in the job market while updating their resumes. They build skills and connections to find permanent posts once their four years with SCSEP is up. They get a boost in self-confidence and well-being, and, as an added benefit, the money they earn bolsters the local economy.

Employers, such as Habitat Lakeside, reap benefits, too.

“I really enjoy working with Indianhead,” says Sheboygan ReStore Manager Rachel Hartlaub, who heard about Indianhead through a Green Bay-based agency that no longer works with the SCSEP program. “Jill and Betty add a lot of character to the store,” she says. “They are hardworking and help out wherever needed.”
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Betty “is a jack of all trades,” Hartlaub says. “She can price, put merchandise away, cashier, answer the phone, help customers and has even helped me lead high-school student volunteers. She feels like a member of the ReStore family.” Jill, who joined the ReStore this spring, “is a huge help on Tuesdays, when we clean and prep the store for the week,” Hartlaub says. “She sweeps, mops, cleans the bathroom and takes out the trash, which allows staff members to catch up on pickups and pricing on Tuesdays. It may not sound like a huge deal, but it is.”

For nonprofits interested in working with Indianhead, Hartlaub advises doing a little planning first. “Think about what needs you have and communicate this with Indianhead,” she says. When meeting with Zinda and the job seeker, “treat it like an interview and listen to your gut to evaluate whether the job seeker will be a right fit for the needs and tasks of your nonprofit,” Hartlaub says.

Her biggest advice? “Just do it,” she says. “Indianhead has a list of job seekers who need to be matched with a nonprofit, and nonprofits need the help. And it’s free help. It truly is a win-win-win for the non-profit, Indianhead, and the individual who needs a job.”

For more information on how nonprofits can work with Indianhead, visit their website. The organization has two project coordinators in Menomonie and two in Green Bay, with each assigned to different counties around the state. “The way to begin is to contact the designated coordinator,” Zinda says.
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Seniors interested in the program can also visit the website; they will need to fill out an application and undergo income verification to make sure they are eligible for the program. “Be persistent and let an organization know you’re interested in the job,” Jill says. “Just because you're an older adult doesn't mean you can't work and be productive.”

Jill (left) and Betty at the Sheboygan ReStore