Habitat for Humanity's raison d'être is, first and foremost, to provide families in need with the structure, stability, self-assurance, and security that accompanies home ownership. We believe that a stable home possesses the ability to provide families and individuals with a sense of place, a sense of community, a sense that, though we may still be subject to the capricious whims of fate, we may nevertheless possess a modest yet decent, safe, and affordable domicile to call our own.

We at SCV-Habitat are proud to report that January saw the dedication ceremonies of two more homes in our nationally renowned Eco Village. The keys of houses 11 and 12 were turned over to their elated owners, amid thralls of family, friends, volunteers, and staff.

House 11: Mary Voje

Mary Voje is the mother of three. Two of her children have reached adulthood and have already taken flight and left the nest, but daughter Allison is ten years old and is still very much in need of the stability and assurance that is the product of decent, safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. Four years ago Mary and Allison found themselves living in a dwelling converted from a small office owned by Mary's brother. The domicile was in Mary's words,"well built and adorable," however Marry's issues stemmed from the converted office being a "very small living space and [with] only one bedroom it was getting smaller and smaller as Allison got older." With two bedroom apartments too expensive to rent, Mary found herself, like Odysseus of myth, caught between Scylla and Charybdis. But hark, SCV-Habitat was capable of steering Mary safely out of those turbulent and foreboding waters and into the serene tranquility of the Eco Village. 

"I have never been involved with an organization as incredible as this one. EVERYONE I have met here is so down to earth, so caring, so positive, so full of energy and INTEGRITY - I've never seen anything like it!  They enjoy their work and you can't help but to have fun working with them!"

- Mary Voje

House 12: Cori Fosmo

Cori Fosmo was the other honoree of the dedication ceremony. A full write-up on Cori will be forthcoming, but suffice it to say Cori - a Program Associate at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls - is positively ecstatic about moving into the Eco Village.

Of course, such a feat would certainly not be possible without the combined efforts of all of our volunteers, staff, organizational partners, donors, committee members, and Board of Directors. Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in making this momentous event possible, and congratulations to Mary Voje and Cori Fosmo - your hard work, industriousness, and dedication have paid dividends and your goal has come to fruition at last.