Habitat for Humanity Lakeside Stories

Every family Habitat for Humanity Lakeside has served, either with a fresh-built home or a necessary home repair, has a story to tell. Here are some of those stories, complete with reflections on how the work has helped build stronger communities and stronger families. 

Partner Families

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Habitat Home Buyer: Michelle

When I applied for a Habitat for Humanity home, I had just started the process of rebuilding my life. Had it not been for Habitat for Humanity giving me this opportunity I would not be where I am today. They provided me the tools I needed to go into home ownership prepared, and they offered me compassion and care at a time when I was still learning how to provide that for myself.
 
This program is very near and dear to my heart. When I moved into my Habitat Home, I was a single mother of 2 children, just trying to get by from day to day as I struggled with facing life and all its challenges. Today I am married, employed with a great company and our Habitat home is filled with our family of 5. 
 
Thank you, Habitat, for everything you’ve given me, and for the opportunity to have a second chance. Because of that, I will continue to shoot for the stars.

Habitat Home Buyer: Heather

Back in 2016, my young sons and I were renting an apartment in the lower half of a house. A coworker, who knew about my situation, asked if I wanted to apply for a Habitat house. I didn't even know what that meant.

​I found out soon enough as I went through the application steps and finally got approval. The groundbreaking was in September of 2016, and we moved into our new home in 2017.

My family is more stable now. I feel more secure financially because my housing money is building equity in the house, not going to some landlord. As my eldest son says: “This house has affected my life greatly! I have my own spot to go to and it’s a very stable place to go to without having to move so often. We have been here for eight years now in July, and I am very lucky and happy to call it my home."

Aging in Place: Stacey

Stacey, a resident of Sheboygan County, had been doing fine in her home of 25 years. One day, though, she realized that getting in and out of the bathtub was becoming more difficult.

Stacey called the county’s Aging and Disabilities Resource Centers, who put her in touch with Habitat, which arranged for a trained professional to install grab bars in her bathroom.

The turnaround was quick and the cost, budget friendly. “When I lost my husband three years ago, half my income went with him,” Stacey says. “I could not have gotten this done without Habitat.”
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Bath time is now safer, and Stacey will be able to stay in her home. “I’m just so relieved, I can’t begin to tell you.”