Partner Families...
The Kuboushek Family in 2020
The 33rd Partner Family for Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity (WCHfH) was Lori Kuboushek and her children, Katelyn and Kyle. Their new home is WCHfH’s 2020 new home build in Calmar, Iowa. Lori and her children lived in an apartment in Calmar for three years, where she often slept on a couch so that her kids had rooms of their own.
“A couple of my coworkers at Decorah Bank and Trust suggested I apply, and I am so happy I did. This is the perfect street for our new home: close to the football field; walking distance to school; and just a nice feel.”
When asked what the most important thing about home ownership would be for her, Lori said, “Feeling settled. When my kids go off to college, or wherever they go on with their lives, they will have a home base, a forever home to come back to.” And, as for her children? They have already been over to the construction site, measuring bedrooms and deciding who will go where. Lori is excited to be involved in the building of her new home and will decide on siding and shingle colors as well as the paint choices inside the home.
Volunteers began construction in July and finished in time for Thanksgiving. When complete, Lori will purchase the home from Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity for a 30 year, 0% interest mortgage.
The Blake Family in 2018
WINNESHIEK COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RECENTLY SELECTED RACHEL BLAKE HER CHILDREN (LEFT TO RIGHT) CAMERON, BRODY, AND ALEC AS ITS PARTNER FAMILY FOR ITS RIDGEWAY HOME PROJECT.
“I wanted a safe home where my children and I can grow together as a family,” says Rachel Blake of Decorah when asked what first interested her in Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity.
A Dorchester, Iowa, native, Blake has worked at Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah for the past two years. “There are so many reasons we are looking forward to our new home—my children especially can’t wait to have their own room and a yard to play in,” says Blake. “We are excited to grow some roots and have a place to call home—this is truly one of the most amazing things we have experienced.”
The Dahl Family 2017
“It’s been pretty crowded,” Holly Dahl says, as she motions toward the mobile home in Burr Oak, Iowa, she has rented for the past decade. Soon Dahl and her daughters—Deanna, 16, a junior at Mabel-Canton High School, and Savannah, 8, a third grader at North Winneshiek Elementary School—will have more space in which to live, play, and grow together as a family.
Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity (WCHFH) recently selected Dahl and her daughters as its partner family for its latest project, the conversion of the century-old Hesper (Iowa) Friends Church into a single-family home. The Hesper Friends congregation donated the church building to WCHFH after closing its doors in late 2015.
“I’ve tried to get a conventional home loan but was unsuccessful,” says Dahl when asked why she applied for a WCHFH home. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity because, as a single parent, the income only stretches so far.” Dahl has worked full time at DECO Products—a supplier of zinc die-castings—since graduating from North Winneshiek High School 18 years ago. She is currently a member of the company’s Quality Assurance Department.
Work on the Hesper project began in mid-September. “We have never built in Hesper so we are thrilled by this opportunity,” says Gus Johnson, WCHFH executive director. “Habitat provides a win-win situation since families who meet the guidelines can help build their new house while also expanding the tax base for the community in which the house is located.”
Yoders' Dedication 2016
The dedication service was held Sunday, March 6, 2016 at the Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity Home built for and with the Yoder family in Calmar. Shown above: Bob Felde, Ken VandeBerg, Anna Norris, Georgie Klevar, the Yoder Family, and Bonnie Adams. Shown below: Pastor Phil Olson of Calmar Lutheran Church; Nichole and Steve Yoder with their daughters Aria and Tianna; and Gus Johnson, Executive Director of WCHH.
Calmar Family for 2015 House
Steve and Nichole Yoder are looking forward to owning a home in Calmar. The Yoder family has been selected by Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity to live in the house to be built this year at 302 E. Henry St. in Calmar. Steve and Nichole have two daughters, two-year old Aria and infant Tianna, and the family is currently renting in Ridgeway.
“Calmar will be a good place to live and the Habitat home will give us the additional room we need with another child,” stated Steve.The goal for Habitat is to work in partnership with low-income working families to build or renovate decent, affordable housing for them. The houses are sold at no profit and a 25-year mortgage with no interest. The family must have employment in order to make the mortgage payments.
Steve is employed by Lynch Livestock, Inc. and Nichole is currently a stay-at-home mom. Further, the family must meet a requirement of helping with the construction, which is known as “sweat equity.” This can be provided in cooperation with friends and family volunteers and Nichole and Steve both have family in the area.
Construction of the new Calmar home will begin in early October with the traditional “blitz build.” Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity has built 29 homes since it was organized in 1992, joining 1500 affiliates throughout the United States. This is the third home to be built in Calmar; other locations in Winneshiek County where WCHFH houses have been built are Burr Oak, Castalia, Decorah, Freeport, Ossian, and Ridgeway.
Spillville Family for 2014 House
As the newest partner family for Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity, Jeff Kimber and Cathy Straube look forward to a new home in Spillville. Currently living in a Decorah apartment with their two year old daughter, Kiah, they are anxious to be in a larger space with a yard.
“ We’ve been looking at houses for a couple years, but they have all been too expensive for us. Relatives living in another Habitat home told us about the possibility of qualifying for Habitat,” stated Cathy.
Construction began at the end of September with the usual “blitz build” and the plan is to be done by the end of 2014.
“Because this home will be built on a lot in Spillville donated by John and Mary Klimesh, it will help with the rising costs of construction. Members of the Habitat Board are very grateful to John and Mary and also to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans which is giving a donation,” said Gus Johnson, Executive Director.
The goal for Habitat is to work in partnership with people in need to build or renovate decent, affordable housing for them. The houses are sold at no profit and with no interest charged to low-income working families. Jeff and Cathy are both employed: Jeff as a rock crusher for Bruening Rock Products and Cathy at Barthell OES Home as a dietary aide.
Volunteers provide much of the labor and partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor or "sweat equity" into building their homes and the homes of others. Relatives may help to meet the sweat equity requirement and Cathy’s family lives in Spillville.
“It will be nice to raise Kiah in the same town I grew up in and she will be closer to family,” commented Cathy.
Jeff said,“We’re happy that we will finally have a home to grow in as a family.”
RIDGEWAY FAMILY FOR THE HABITAT HOUSE 2013
Paul and Meagan Sobolik, with their four-year old daughter, were living in a small apartment over the bakery in Cresco. So when Meagan saw a poster in the Ridgeway gas station about a Habitat home, she pursued the opportunity. She completed the application and the family was interviewed. The Soboliks were selected as the new partner family for the 2013 home in Ridgeway. After Paul and Meagan were married in August, Meagan wrote to the Board. “Thank you for choosing us for the Habitat house. It was the best wedding present ever.”
Paul works as a truck driver for Bruening Rock Products in Cresco and Megan has begun part-time work at Engen Express in Ridgeway. Their daughter, Maycee Mae, attends preschool at Kessel Kids in Cresco. The couple has family in both Cresco and Protivin so Ridgeway is a good location for them in which to live. Further, their family members can help them meet the requirement to provide 150 hours of “sweat equity” per adult member of the family. This can be provided in cooperation with friends and family volunteers. For example, Meagan said that her high school-aged brother will use his volunteer time as part of his required 50 hours of community service.
2012 Partner Family
Kyle Dahl, Madison Dahl, Samantha Thiele
Gus Johnson, Executive Director of WCHFH, Samantha Thiele and Kyle Dahl waving at Madison Dahl
Two Decorah brothers and their families will live next door to each other when Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity (WCHFH) finishes building its 26th house. The house in progress on Division Street will belong to Kyle Dahl and Samantha Thiele along with their daughter Madison. Kyle’s brother Chris, his sister-in-law Vada, along with their two children live in the Habitat house built in 2012.
Kyle and Samantha are very excited about the opportunity to leave their apartment and live in a home of their own. “It was Chris and Vada who suggested we apply,” stated Kyle. There were other families who qualified, but the Family Selection Committee agreed that this family was the best choice. Kyle and Samantha were familiar with Habitat and its requirements since last year they had helped the Dahls provide the volunteer labor of 150 hours per each adult member of the partner family’s home. Habitat refers to this volunteer labor as “sweat equity.”
Habitat’s mission is to provide housing for low-income families, but these families must have sufficient income to pay the 25-year interest free mortgage. Currently Samantha works as a teller at Fidelity Bank and Trust. She completed an A.A. degree in accounting from NICC. Kyle does seasonal work for Bruening Rock Products and in the winter he describes himself as, “ Mr. Mom.” Their three-year old daughter, Madison, has just begun attending pre-school at the Sunflower Child Care Center.
2011 Partner Family
Chris and Vada Dahl and their two children will soon celebrate a year in their new home at 1117 Division St in Decorah. Two years ago they applied to Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity to qualify for the house to be built in 2011 and to their surprise, they were selected. One of the requirements for a partner family is to have a regular income and Chris works in Dining Services at Luther College. Vada is pursuing a degree in school counseling and is currently doing an internship at the Allamakee Community School District.
The family had been crowded into a small apartment and they had been looking for a house that they could afford. The two children, Azalya, age 3 and Zayden, age 1, had to share a small bedroom. “When one woke up, the other usually did, too,” stated Vada about their previous living situation. Since moving in, the couple also became married.
As a partner family, the Dahls willingly put in the 60% of the required 175 hours of physical labor on the house which is called "sweat equity." They had help from friends and family including his brother, Kyle Dahl, and Samantha Thiele, who are 2012’s Partner Family. Chris laughingly said that he now knows much more about construction.
The house is approximately 1,250 square feet with three bedrooms and one bathroom. The couple was able to select details like siding, shingles and paint color. They just moved into the house in time for the dedication which was held Sunday, December 11, 2011. “It feels unbelievable that we’re no longer in that tiny apartment. We absolutely love being in this house,” Chris stated when asked about the family’s first months in the house.
