ThriventBuilds ground breaking on 35th home to be built by ICHFH!

Tena Buesing and her two sons, Shannon Benolken-Executive Director ICHFH, Jerry Ophoven-ICHFH Board President, Larry Pickeral-ICHFH Project Manager, Pastor Greg Demuth-ICHFH Board Member, Rob Sjostrand-Thrivent Rep, Sherry Frick-Thrivent Project Leader, Jim Tarbell-Thrivent Chapter Specialist

It was a beautiful day for a ground breaking.  This will be the 35th home built by ICHFH in Itasca County.  Tena Buesing and her two boys will be purchasing a three bedroom home in  Southeast Grand Rapids.  This is the 6th home that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has sponsored for our affiliate!  Thank you ThriventBuilds!  Tena and her two boys will start a new chapter in their lives thanks to the community!

Welcome to one of our newest partner families!

Hello I’m Tena Buesing. I’m a single mom with two boys, a 14 yr. old and a 5 yr. old. They are my world. We’ve lived in Grand Rapids about 5 years now, and are from southwest MN originally. I work at Orion Corporation with people with disabilities. I’ve been there for almost 5 years and I love my job. I’m recently divorced and now living in income based housing. We feel so blessed to have this opportunity to better our lives. The thought of having a home to share with my boys was something I only dreamed about until I heard about Habitat for Humanity. When I applied I didn’t think we’d get picked for this amazing opportunity. After lots of prayers and hopes we got the news that we got picked, I guess miracles do happen to people like me. I’ve struggled as a single mom since I was 17 years old and now I was feeling trapped in income based housing where if I get a little ahead my rent would go up. The thought of bettering life for my boys was on my mind every day.

I’ll never forget the day I got the news we were picked for a 3 bedroom home. I was filled with excitement but also in shock, I am getting a once in a lifetime opportunity to better not only my life but my kid’s lives. That’s an unexplainable feeling for me. I am so grateful but after learning more about Habitat for Humanity and everything they’re about I’m truly blessed! Not only do I get to help build the house, I get to meet a lot of new people and feel like I’m a part of this amazing community of people that just love to help others. I can’t express how excited and motivated I am to start my new life as a home owner. Currently we are waiting for the lovely snow to go away to start the building process, my boys and I are so grateful already and we haven’t even got to meet all the wonderful people who volunteer their valuable time to offer my family an opportunity to have a place to call home. God bless you all!

Currently hiring for a Communications AmeriCorps*Vista! Apply today!

Now Hiring

 Itasca County Habitat for Humanity has a full-time position available for a Communications AmeriCorps *VISTA.  The term of service is July 30, 2013 – August 2, 2014.

As a Communications AmeriCorps*VISTA, you will spread awareness of the Itasca County Habitat for Humanity mission! During your year of service, you will conduct a communications audit and develop a communications plan, write press releases, update Social Media and work with community volunteers to create awareness of Habitat fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. Your work will enable us to help more families achieve the dream of homeownership!

The VISTA member must possess the following skills and qualifications:

• A college degree in communications or marketing or four years experience in related field is a must.
• Must be a self-starter, able to work independently, multi-task and have the ability to think independently and outside the box.
• Must have good computer skills; knowledge of publisher software is a plus.
• Must have good listening skills and be able to take direction.
• Must be willing and able to motivate and articulate the Habitat story to a wide variety of individuals and groups.
• Must be highly organized and able to work efficiently and effectively.
• Applicant should have a demonstrated ability to write news releases, brochure copy and other written communication tools.
• Must possess exceptional knowledge of social media and electronic communication systems.
• Candidates must have a service orientated personality that is willing and able to commit to making a difference in the lives of many.
• Must be trustworthy, non-judgmental and abide by all ICHFH confidentiality standards.
• Must believe in the Mission, Vision and Guiding principles of ICHFH.
• Must be 18 years of age or older to apply.

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Living Allowance of $946/mo. plus either $1,500 cash stipend or $5,550 education award at the completion of the year of service.
• Forebearance on qualified student loans.
• Relocation allowance of $550 if relocating more than 50 miles.
• Healthcare and Childcare
• Non-Competitive Eligibility for Federal Government Service for one year.

 Click on the link below to go directly to the application page or call 218-999-9001 for more information.

AmeriCorps Application Page

 

GET THEM WHILE THEY ARE HOT!

First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids is having a fundraiser for Habitat!  On Sunday, February 17th, First Lutheran will be selling cinnamon rolls between services in the lobby starting at approximately 9:10 a.m. until approximately 9:40 a.m.  Proceeds will be donated to Itasca County Habitat for Humanity.  Get them while they are HOT!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST HOSTED BY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Knights of Columbus are hosting a Pancake Breakfast for Habitat on February 10, 2013 from 8:30 am to noon at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids.  This is a free will offering breakfast. All proceeds from the breakfast benefit Habitat so please join us so we continue to provide safe, decent, affordable housing in Itasca County.

Thank you Minnesota Diversified Industries!

ReStore volunteers

Thank you MDI for donating totes for the holidays to our volunteers & partner families.  Without the support of the community, volunteers and donors we would not be able to continue our battle against substandard housing in Itasca County.  We build community not just a home!

Thank you MDI for offering progressive development and employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities and for supporting Itasca County Habitat for Humanity!

Habitat for Humanity Celebrates Milestone 2,000th Home Built in Minnesota

Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Minnesota will mark a major milestone Thursday, December 20 with the dedication of the 2,000^th home located at 3317 Texas Ave in St. Louis Park.  Itasca County Habitat for Humanity is among the 32 Habitat affiliates statewide that have made this milestone possible, having built 34 houses since its founding in 1992.

The milestone 2,000^th Habitat home represents the steady increase in Habitat for Humanity’s scale and scope to help more families in need of decent, affordable housing. In 2003, the 32 Minnesota Habitat for Humanity affiliates celebrated building the 1,000^th home. Now in 2012, we are celebrating 2,000 homeowners who have a safe, affordable place to call home; a home that provides stability in the lives of over 8,500 individuals and a hand up to families all across Minnesota.

 

The impact of serving 2,000 Habitat partner families has been quite significant.  We know that decent shelter has a transformational, long-term impact on individual families and entire communities. Habitat partner families report improved health, greater educational attainment and job prospects, decreased dependency on welfare programs, and an increased personal sense of connectedness to their family and community. We know this thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota’s Homeowner Impact Study:

•   Habitat partner families experienced a 40% reduction in use of government assistance programs.
•   88% of respondents said they feel better about their children’s future.
•   Over 50% of homeowners said they had either started or completed a higher education program or were planning to start.

Wyatt, Amanda & Keagan’s Home Dedication & Blessing May 2012

Rusty & his family’s Home Dedication & Blessing December 2012

Lori & Sophia’s Home Dedication & Blessing September 2012

Tracie & her family’s Home Dedication & Blessing June 2012

 Habitat’s impact extends beyond our partner families to include the communities in which we build. Habitat affiliates’ service areas cover over 95% of the state of Minnesota.  These 2,000 homes are located throughout the state and have an estimated current market value of $250 million. Habitat partner families purchase their homes from Habitat for Humanity with a 0% interest mortgage and add to the economy by paying millions of dollars in property taxes each year.

 

We would like to thank you for all the contributions you have made in our community that have helped Habitat reach this milestone achievement!

Home Dedication & Blessing of ICHFH’s 34th Home is scheduled.

Rusty and his five children

The home dedication and blessing of Itasca County Habitat for Humanity’s 34th home build in Itasca County will be held on Tuesday, December 18th at 5:30 pm at 992 S. Gary St., Calumet.  Pastor Dorothy Duquette from Calumet Community Presbyterian Church will bless this new home for Rusty & his five children.  Please join us for this joyous occasion.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

We are accepting new home construction applications and A Brush with Kindness applications! Stop into the ReStore Wednesday thru Saturday to pick up an application or visit our website ItascaHabitat.org.

Home Dedication & Blessing

Our next Home Dedication & Blessing of Habitat’s rehabilitated home in Deer River is Tuesday, September 25th at 5:30.  Please join us as we welcome Lori & her daughter Sophie to their new home!!!! Lori & Sophie have well over their sweat equity hours working on their future home and the future homes of other partner family members.  Part of their required 300 hours of sweat equity included working in the ReStore and helping with Habitat’s fundraisers! Lori and Sophie have been a joy to partner with!!!