As part of the student program, Habitat for Humanity’s 25th home build began at the beginning of the school year in Kirtland Community College’s parking lot.
Adam Sobeck, Gaylord High School student, gains college credit and technical experience working on the home’s roof.
OCHFH assists, the new home’s occupants will also be served by Great Lakes Energy. Through power supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative, more than half the energy Great Lakes Energy provides its members is carbon free. “I am excited because I’m a member and many of the families we assist are members as well,” said Jankowski. “I look forward to seeing the outcome of what they’re doing now and in the future!” Home builds are an important part of Otsego County Habitat for Humanity’s mission, but they provide many other services to the community as well. “A majority of the Otsego County residents we speak to believe it is challenging right now to find quality, affordable housing in our area,” said Jankowski. “Many of these people have had to make trade-offs whether it is to go without meals or to go without crucial home repairs to things like furnaces and roofs in order to make rent or mortgage payments—and we wanted to find a way to help as many of these people as possible.”
help of community partners like Great Lakes Energy. Through GLE’s People Fund grant program, programs like financial coaching, weatherization, critical home repair assistance, disaster relief assistance are offered. Funds donated through the People Fund also helped create the Habitat Learning Garden to help teach home and yard maintenance skills. Otsego County Habitat for Humanity’s home builds and programs help families realize their homeownership dreams, as well as help build financial equity, self-esteem and self-reliance. “We understand the great need and far-reaching results that are possible when we work together,” said Jankowski. “With our community’s support, we’re able to craft programs that bring true benefit to area families.” Visit otsegohabitat.org to learn more about how you can help the Otsego County Habitat for Humanity. Live outside of Otsego County? Visit gtlakes.com/yourpower to learn about additional ways Great Lakes Energy members can make an impact in their community.
Allen Morgan and Ayden Lauer from Johannesburg High School place venting insulation.
To achieve this goal, OCHFH has expanded their programming beyond home building with the MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17
