blueprints lake agassiz habitat for humanity
2 e x ec u t i v e d i r e c t o r
4
profiles
8 restore the ReStore
F all 2021
executive director Jim Nelson
As you can see from the cover, this year is a special year for us. We are celebrating our 30th year of helping families build strength, stability & self-reliance through shelter. We are proud of our work and so thankful for all of you who’ve played a role in helping us change the lives of 65 families (with four more in progress right now) through the construction of homes that are just what they needed to give them a solid foundation to build their future.
It’s certainly been an interesting year. Last summer we built 2 homes, without volunteers, amid the pandemic having no clear indication of how the pandemic would impact our mission. This summer, with relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, we’re doubling our impact by serving 4 families and building 4 homes. We were excited to invite volunteers to rejoin us this summer and so far they’ve arrived in strong numbers while filled with enthusiasm. The ReStore has experienced phenomenal customer support since reopening in May, 2020 after a 60 day mandated shut down. Since then, sales have been very strong with ReStore profits going directly to offset overhead expenses. That allows 100% of financial donations to go toward our mission of providing affordable homes to families in need throughout our community.
impacts. We’re also contacting new suppliers seeking to purchase materials that have become delayed from our usual suppliers in an attempt to minimize delays; however, these items typically come with an increased cost. In short, the combination of increased material costs and material delays have resulted in unanticipated expenses. Despite these challenges, our staff continues to push toward creating a new reality for our organization, volunteers, donors and partner families! While we are doubling our output this year, from two houses to four houses, we have challenged ourselves to double that number over the next few years. In a community the size of the greater Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo community, we believe that we should be building and serving at least eight families per year. The need in our community is great. On average, we are forced to turn down 10-15 qualified families every year. As we prepare to increase house productivity, we plan to build four homes in 2022 as we identify the staff and programming required to support planned growth. At this time, we are planning a Women Build, a CEO Build, our annual Faith Build, and a Spartan Build, a partnership with the construction students at Fargo North High School.
“ We are celebrating our 30th year of helping families build strength, stability & self-reliance through shelter.” One challenge we are experiencing this year is increased costs and material delays on our construction projects. For example, last year we paid $15 per sheet for sheathing and this year we’re paying $50 per sheet. In addition, two by fours were $5 in 2020. This year, they are costing us $7. We’re experiencing unanticipated shortages of certain construction materials that are causing unplanned delays in our build schedule. This, of course, negatively impacts our volunteer schedule. Those volunteers and organizations that have scheduled time on our builds are finding that we are asking them to reschedule due to these
While we rely on volunteers to help us build, we can’t build with volunteers alone. We need financial support to make our homes possible. Please think about Habitat for Humanity as you consider which organizations to support. Remember that your contributions not only serve to lift a family out of poverty, but will lift generations of that family out of poverty, breaking the cycle of renting and poverty forever.
Thank you!
Jim Nelson
- Executive Director
a new beginning Kathy Benjamin
When you are trapped in an abusive situation, the chaos feels like home—even when it hurts you. It sticks in the mind, reminding you that you can never fully escape, that this is as good as it gets, and that you will never deserve more. So when someone offers a hand, realizing that you are worthy of help is the first step towards escaping the story of abuse. Kathy Benjamin is like many women in the Fargo/West Fargo/ Moorhead area: the daughter of an addict and abusive mother, tossed around aimlessly to a mix of good homes and bad in the foster care system, only to return to her abuser many times because it felt familiar. She turned to drugs to deal with the compounding trauma from her life and was trapped in the cycle of low-income housing. To many, she’s just another file in a social worker’s folder. Her children were set up to follow the same pattern she was born into, forced to share a similar fate to Kathy’s own upbringing.
It’s the grim reality for many individuals in our own community who are stuck, unable to get stability in their life and make a change that will break the cycle. But for Kathy, and for others, there is a brighter future—and it starts with an outstretched hand. Two moments led her on the path to receive a home for Habitat for Humanity in 2021. The first was when a person showed compassion
The outstretched hand-up from Habitat for Humanity will lead Kathy on the final steps of breaking the cycle for herself and her children, as well as her sister’s children who she cares for. After battling her own demons, overcoming substance abuse, and working her way through school, Kathy will use the stability of a new home as the foundation for a brighter future. “I am just beyond appreciative for this opportunity and how life-changing this is going to be, not only for me but my children,” Kathy said. “I am breaking the cycle that I was raised in, and I am happy to share that with my children. This will be so healthy for my nieces to be a part of. They will always have a home to come back to, even as adults. So for that, gratitude does not even begin to touch on how eternally grateful I am to the donors, volunteers, and staff who are helping make this happen.” Not only will she have the pride of paying for and building her home, but Kathy is also bringing all her talent, resilience, and compassion to help others like her. When she’s not being a mom to three young boys and two teenage girls (and participating in the Habitat for Humanity program), she’s working two jobs and going to school full-time to become a licensed addiction therapist.
in her living situation. The second was when Kathy realized she was worth it and could do better. From then, her motto became “Don’t think, just do.”
Kathy’s future home will be our 2021 CEO Build and will be located in Dilworth. Construction will begin in September.
habitat for humanity profiles Isaac Poku
ReStore customer Isaac Poku
How did you learn about the ReStore? I first learned about the ReStore from a friend, Peter. How often do you shop at the ReStore? I travel quite a bit, but when I am in town, I stop in about 3-4 times a month. What do you shop for at the ReStore? I buy a lot of building materials, mostly ceramic and wood flooring as well as windows and doors. Sometimes I’ve picked up very nice
furniture and furnishings like lighting, as well as tools of all sorts. Why do you shop at the ReStore? I farm tree crops in Ghana, West Africa, such as mangoes, cashews, cacao, and teak trees. I ship the items I buy to build my farmhouses and workers’ bungalows. I shipped five 40-foot
containers last year alone, which contained quite a few things I had picked up from ReStore. Normally during our harvest times, we use workers who work around the clock and give them accommodation. I try to make the farm and village living more fun for the locals and my American friends who visit. I love that I can buy some things at the ReStore cheaply, since I must ship these items and pay duties on some of them. We are also developing a workforce center, where people can learn to build, weld, and other things like that. The ReStore products are helping with that mission, too. How are you inspired by the work that Habitat for Humanity does? When you come to ReStore, you will find that people across all different social spectrums shop there and are able to find something. The workers are very friendly, helpful, and passionate about what they are doing. They go above and beyond to help load and unload. Above all, I am inspired by the fact that Habitat doesn’t just build homes, but they truly empower families and help those in need.
Brianna Gruenberg
volunteer & family services coordinator profile Brianna Gruenberg
How long have you been working at Habitat for Humanity? I have worked here for just over one year. I was lucky to be hired during the COVID-19 pandemic and have helped the organization navigate all of the changes that it brought. What drew you to Habitat for Humanity? I was introduced to Habitat for Humanity during my freshman year at Concordia College. I went on a HFH Collegiate Challenge Spring Break Trip to Pensacola, FL, and got to frame an entire house, starting with the concrete slab. I loved my experience that week and went on two more spring break trips during college, volunteered locally, and was part of the Concordia College HFH Board of Directores. Growing up, my family always emphasized serving others and I went on annual mission trips with my church youth group. Habitat for Humanity is so incredible because every single person can relate to our mission of giving families a hand up to access a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home! What is your favorite part of the job? I love seeing the transformations our families make throughout their time in our program. From the time they first apply to the moment we
hand over the keys to their new home that they worked so hard for, they gain so much selfconfidence and feel empowered for their new journey as a homeowner! What’s your favorite part of Habitat’s mission? The sweat equity component of our program is so important to Habitat’s mission. After completing their 250 hours of volunteering with our organization, homeowners are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to be successful. They take numerous education classes that teach them how to save on their energy bill, maintain their lawn, and manage a budget through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. They also help build their own home, which is most of our families’ favorite part! If you could travel anywhere with Habitat for Humanity International, where would you go? There are so many places I would love to travel with HFHI, but a couple of my top picks would be Thailand or Australia!
volunteer profile Beth Brasel
How were you introduced to Habitat for Humanity? While I’ve known about Habitat for Humanity for what seems like forever, it wasn’t until a coffee meeting that I decided to dive in!
Beth Brasel
How long have you been volunteering at Habitat for Humanity? Sadly, last fall was my first time volunteering. I sure am wishing I had started long ago! I had always been afraid to volunteer because I told myself, ‘I don’t know how to build a house’. Let me tell you, you don’t have to know. They will teach you everything. What type of volunteer roles have you done with Habitat? My first volunteer role was Chair for the Women Build, which I totally loved! This year I helped raise the wall for the Women Build. Last year, I helped install drywall and flooring. What is your favorite part of our mission? Can I say all of it? I really love that Habitat empowers families by assisting them with their dream of home ownership, something they may never have had without the assistance from Habitat for Humanity. I also really like that Habitat gives the families they serve a hand up, not a handout, and that the families have to work hard for this opportunity.
upcoming events September 14th CEO Build wall raising
November 18th Give to the Max Day
January
2022 Partner Families selected.
February 10th Giving Hearts Day
faith build
Castillo Family
30th anniversary build Brooks Family
2021 lake agassiz
habitat for humanity builds
woman build Roach Family
CEO build
Benjamin Family
It’s easy to give!
Even a small donation will help change the lives of families like the Castillo, Brooks, Roach, and Benjamin families, and help them build a new future. Your support is needed, now more than ever.
help build it! Join our GoTo Crew.
We are looking for regular volunteers who’d like to play an essential role in the success and growth of our mission. If you’d like to lend your skills in building, family mentorship, marketing, fundraising, retail, deconstruction and more, visit www.lakeagassizhabitat.org/crew or call Brianna at 218-359-0814.
how to give Text HABITAT to 26989
Visit
lakeagassizhabitat.org/donate
Venmo us at
@HabitatFargoMoorhead
Send a check to 210 11th Street N Moorhead MN 56560
2 1 0 N o r t h 1 1 th S tre e t, Moo rhe ad, M innesota 56560 2 1 8 - 2 8 4 - 5 25 3 fa x: 2 1 8 -35 9 -03 63 h a b i t a t @l a k ea g assi zha b i ta t.o rg
after
be for e
help us restore the ReStore! You may have noticed some changes to our ReStore recently! We’ve put on a new roof, updated the front facade, and are working on new exterior signage. We also plan to remodel the bathrooms, check-out counter, and parking lot, but we need your support to do so. Please help us Restore the ReStore by making a donation today at www.lakeagassizhabitat.org/ReStore.