What It Takes...
Habitat for Humanity success stories are an illustration of building our community and living out our mission and vision to build safe, decent, affordable homes because everyone deserves a decent place to live. Success stories would not be possible without the combination of volunteers, community support and partners, Habitat Partner Families, and the trailblazing staff of the affiliate organization. Each Habitat Partner Family fulfills their responsibilities by helping to build their own home through sweat equity hours alongside the dedicated and willing volunteers. The journey of a Habitat Homebuyer begins when they attend our application meeting, and it continues through the process of having the need for affordable housing, having the ability to pay for their mortgage, and being willing to partner with Habitat. The process takes an average of 18-24 months, and at the journey does not end there. Once our Habitat Partner families become homeowners, they have built strength, stability and self-reliance for generations to come - helping break the cycle of poverty and making meaningful impact in our local community.
Meet Our Habitat Homeowners
#127 - Smith FamilyThe Smith family includes (mother) Jena, and children, Dae' Kwon, Amiracle, and Ahkilies. Jena looks forward to buying her Habitat home so she can provide a house that her children where they can plan and have space. Jena's home will be the site of Women Build 2021 and Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity's first-ever Veteran Build. As an independent woman, mother of three, and veteran, Jena's home is a great model for women empowering women, and a highlight to bring our veteran community together.
|
I have been waiting and working towards the day I can provide a suitable home for my children. For the past five years, I have undergone several surgeries and my children have been more than their fair share of patient and helpful. I look forward to being able to help with the construction of our home for my children to have their bedrooms and to be able to move freely through the house after future surgeries.
#126- Muñoz Family
The Munoz family is currently living in a duplex, the rent is very expensive and there is not enough space for their family. The duplex is old and has some safety concerns. Amy looks forward to owning a home as she has rented for several years and has moved many places. The Munoz family looks forward to having a home to call their own and a yard to make memories. Having our own home, somewhere we could call “ours” was always a dream. We have been very blessed and extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity to work hard and have our dream come true and finally have our forever home. Having a yard of our own and a home to make a lifetime of memories in is something we are looking forward to. |
#125- Valle Nuñez Family
The Valle-Nunez family currently lives in a two-bedroom apartment with five people living in it. Parents Jose and Luz Marina and their three children living at home need more rooms, a place to do school/homework, and a suitable kitchen. The family moved to the area about seven years ago with the dream of one day owning a home and look forward to accomplishing their dreams. We moved to Green Bay almost six years ago with the dream of someday owning our own house. We are thankful for the opportunity that Habitat for Humanity has given us to accomplish the dream. We are looking forward to having our own space with enough room for the family. |
#124- Ramirez Family
Marina Ramirez dreamed of owning her own home. To support her daughters, Marina wanted to have more room for her family, have a sense of security and hope for the future, and have a yard for her girls to play in without moving around anymore. And Marina worked hard for her goals, and is a wonderful role model for her girls. The Ramirez family purchased the 124th Habitat home on 9th Street in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on April 29, 2021 One of the biggest things I look forward to the most, as a homeowner, is being able to provide a safe and stable home for my girls without having to worry about moving again. We thank God because soon we will have a place that we can call our own, because it will be “Our Home. |
#123- Crespo Roman Family
Elliot and Virgen have two children, Ellianys and Tairon. Before purchasing their Habitat home, the family lived in conditions that were not safe to their health and multiple family members have asthma. The family was concerned with the security of their living environment and sought a safe place to live. The Crespo Roman family owns our 123rd Habitat home on Buchanan Street in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on March 31, 2021. As owners of our own house we hope to give 100% of ourselves to provide our children with good stability as a family. The houses which have been built by Habitat have been made with love and this is what makes us happy, to know that our house also will be built with the same love. |
#122- Grailer Family
Kim and her two children were excited excited to purchase and move into their new home. The home is our first Habitat home built with the plum siding. The Grailer family owns the 122 Habitat home located at 1207 Western Avenue in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on December 16, 2020, and was sold to the family at an affordable interest-free mortgage. I am currently working in an amazing Rehab facility for post-surgeries. All the different patients that I see every day push me to succeed. I am a single mom with two kids, a full-time job and going to school. In the long-run, my biggest goal is to be able to spend more time with my family." |
#121- Perez Family
Dexter and Fatumo have two children, under the age of five. The home built for them is ADA accessible. The Perez family owns the 121st home located at 223 S. Buchanan Street in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on October 20, 2020 and was sold to the family at an affordable interest-free mortgage. For us, being homeowners means stability, security, and not worrying about having a roof over our heads. We are so blessed to partner with Habitat for Humanity, and we look forward to all of the opportunities homeownership will offer us. |
#120- Jimenez Family
Andres and Shaleen have six children. The family documented over 600 sweat equity hours as Habitat family partners. The Jimenez family owns our 120th home located at 1209 Chicago Street in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on June 25, 2020 and was sold to the family at an affordable interest-free mortgage. We have always dreamed of providing a bigger, more spacious home for our children. We knew that the day would come and God would provide the opportunity. We are very grateful to be part of the Habitat for Humanity family now." |
#119- Mose Family
Sharif and Khadra have five children. They were referred to Habitat’s homeownership program from another Habitat family and are so excited to have an affordable and safe place to call home. The Mose family owns our 119th home located at 429 South Roosevelt Street in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on May 22, 2020 and was sold to the family at an affordable interest-free mortgage. Owning a home means I am able to say “yes.” Yes, I’m a positive role model for my children. Yes, I’ll take responsibility for my children and my life. Yes, I’m worthy, dependable, and self-motivated. But most importantly, owning my home means saying, “I can." |
#118- Moua/Thao Family
With a family of seven, and living in an overcrowded home, Kou and Mai had dreams of their own place with space for their five young children to grow up in. The Moua/Thao family owns our 118th home, located at 1655 Debra Lane. The home was dedicated on February 13th, 2020 and was sold to the family at an affordable, interest-free mortgage. As a family, our hopes and goals are to grow and appreciate each other. Owning a home means everything to our family, because we have worked hard for this dream of becoming homeowners. |
#117- Hernandez Family
Karleen has three children. She moved to the US from Puerto Rico 10 years ago, and moved to Green Bay in 2012 to be closer to family. She's currently an accounting student and enjoys spending time with her family. The Hernandez family owns our 117th home, located at 1146 S. Greenwood Avenue. The home was dedicated on December 13, 2019 and was sold to the family at an affordable, interest-free mortgage.
Thanks to God everyday for a new day and blessing me with three awesome kids. I want to provide a place for them." - Karleen Hernandez |
#116- Christiansen/Brown Family
Sara has three daughters: Madison (an adult who lives on her own), Maleah, and Miya. The Christiansen/Brown family owns our 116th home, located at 906 Waverly Avenue. The home was dedicated on October 3, 2019 and was sold to the family at an affordable, interest-free mortgage. I have always wanted to provide my children with a home that was truly ours. Being able to let them play in a yard and ride their bikes would be a dream come true to them. Being able to provide them with a home is so important to me. It means that I will be able to provide them with a home that we can make our own, a place to make memories and build traditions, a place that we can be proud of because we helped build it. |
#115- Christnot/DeGroot Family
Jasmine and Ryan have four children, Caydence, Bryton, Raylan, and Mya. The Christnot/DeGroot family owns our 115th home, located at 1035 Neville Avenue. The home was a result of Women Build 2019, which hosted over 200 participants. The home was dedicated on August 26, 2019 and was sold to the family at an affordable, interest-free mortgage. Owning a home for us means permanency and a strong foundation to raise our children. This is the first home for any of us that is truly ours, and it gives us a sense of peace and comfort knowing that we won't have to rent anymore. |
#114- Yanez/Saldana Family
Brittany, Omar, and their two children lived in an old and unsafe home. Between poor insulation, springtime flooding, animals in the attic, and a musty smell that seeps into everything (including their clothes), Brittany was ready to provide something better for her family. The Yanez/Saldana family owns our 114th home, located at 1030 Stuart Street in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on June 6, 2019 and was sold to the family at an affordable, interest-free mortgage. I believe my little family deserves a safe home that I can afford on my own. |
#113 - Habane/Egeh Family
With a household of 11 and a father with medical needs, it was hard for the Habane/Egeh family to find accessible, suitable housing. After applying to the Homeownership program a few years ago and getting denied, the family worked hard to meet the requirements, applied again, and was accepted! The Habane/Egeh family now owns our 113th home, located at 1743 Chicago Court in Green Bay. Their home was dedicated on May 16, 2019. The home was sold to the family at an affordable, interest-free mortgage. We are looking forward to living in our first house. Thank you all for helping us! |
#112 - Redko Family
When Maksim brought his wife, Alina, to the United States from Ukraine, he knew he needed to provide the best future possible for her and their daughter Evelyn. With a new baby on the way (Stella was born in August 2018), the Redko family needed to upgrade their living quarters so they could live happily and healthily. This led them to apply for Habitat for Humanity's Homeownership program.
The Redko family now owns our 112th home, located at 1745 Chicago Court in Green Bay. Their home was dedicated on February 21, 2019. I believe that as the head of the family, it is my responsibility to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of my family. Safe, clean, and stable housing is one of those baseline needs that I feel obliged to meet as a father. |
#111 - Dewitt Family
For the DeWitt Family, having a space that suited the needs of their family was difficult to find. In need of a living space that is ADA accessible, the family struggled with flights of stairs, lack of space and shortage of handicap parking. This is what led the DeWitt family to apply for Habitat for Humanity's Homeownership Program.
The DeWitt Family owns our 111th home, located on Western Avenue in Green Bay. The home was dedicated October 11, 2018. I'm so blessed that my handicapped son, Kevin, and I won't have to climb stairs anymore. I plan on making this home as beautiful as I can by planting flowers, trees, and a garden!" - Lisa |
#110 - Rein Family
For the Rein Family, more space was a necessity. The homeowner's teenage son and daughter were sharing a bedroom and the family of three was residing in a cramped 2 bedroom apartment. It has always been the family's dream to own a home of their own and have the space they need to grow. This is what led the family to apply for Habitat for Humanity's Homeownership Program.
The Rein Family owns our 110th home on Western Avenue in Green Bay. The home was dedicated on August 23, 2018. Thank you to Habitat and all the people who have donated to make my dream come true. Without all their help, my dream of owning a home for myself and my two children couldn’t have come true." |