"A world where everyone has a decent place to live..."


June 2016
Habitat News Tribune
A Message from the Editor
Hi, everyone! 

It's crazy to think that almost a full year has gone by since I started working with Habitat, and it's even crazier to think that in just a few short weeks, my term of service will end.

I have been blessed to work with some of the most dedicated, caring, supportive, hardworking individuals who have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I cannot thank them enough for their impact on my life.

While I am sad that my time in River Falls is drawing to a close, I'm excited and looking forward to the next adventures life will bring my way.

Thank you for letting me invade your inbox every month!

Have a great day,
Kayla
Correction
May's newsletter incorrectly stated the name of the partnering elementary school for the Master Gardeners Association grant.

The correct elementary school is River Falls Public Montessori Elementary.
Join our FAM Club!
The Fifteen Dollars a Month club is a hassle free and secure way to help fight poverty housing in the St. Croix Valley. Each month, for less than a couple meals at a restaurant, you can help provide a home for a local family in need.

With the FAM club, every month 15 dollars (or more, if you choose) will be securely transferred from your bank account to ours to help us cover the cost we incur on our noble mission. 

To sign up for the FAM club please, contact the office at 715-425-5623.

We at St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity would like to extend a very heartfelt and humble thank you to all of our donors for your beneficence; it is through your contributions that we may continue our righteous work.
Donate a Vehicle to SCV-Habitat, and Help Us Build Houses

Board of Directors

Maureen Otwell

President

 

Joel Skinner
Vice President 

Don Richards
Secretary

Bill Stokes
Treasurer

Directors
Chuck Boeder
Sarah Bruch

Peter Kilde

Gary Konkol

Heather Logelin

Roger Pavlis 

Bill Richard

Liz Swank

Maureen Wegleitner

Staff
Executive Director

Associate Director

Program Specialist
 
Office Manager
 
Bookkeeper

Outreach and Faith Relations VISTA
  
ReStore Manager - Roberts

Assistant ReStore Manager - Roberts

Donation Procurement 
Supervisor
ReStore Manager -River Falls

ReStore Associate - River Falls

ReStore Associate - River Falls

ReStore Associate - River Falls

ReStore Social Media Consultant - River Falls
Corporate Partners
"A Lot" of Thanks to the Rivards
John and Mary Rivard have been longtime Hammond residents, but recently, they decided to sell their house and move up north. The Rivard's decision to move brought with it the choice of what to do with the lot next to their house.

The Rivards decided to pay it forward and donate the lot to our affiliate, a choice the Rivards were happy to make because they wanted to see the lot be put to good use.

"It is a very nice residential lot and will provide a nice home for a family in the future," said Dave Engstrom and Debbie Murtha, the affiliate's executive director and office manager (respectively).

We are incredibly grateful and appreciative of the Rivard's generous lot donation. Their gift will have a long-lasting effect on a very hardworking and deserving family.

If you would like to donate property and receive a tax donation, please contact the administrative office at 715-425-5623.  
Mary and John Rivard (L-R sitting) with Dave Engstrom and Debbie Murtha (L-R standing)
Family Fresh Donates to Our Habitat Family
Throughout the month of March, the SpartanNash Foundation, who oversees the Family Fresh Market grocery stores, held a fundraiser for our affiliate. Shoppers at Family Fresh locations throughout the St. Croix Valley were given the opportunity to donate to Habitat while they were checking out.

On Wednesday, May 3, River Falls Family Fresh presented Dave Engstrom and Debbie Murtha a check for $4,000. This just goes to show how a simple act of asking people to donate a dollar or two can have such a large impact.

Thank You, First Congregational Church
One of the sentiments First Congregational Church of River Falls bases their views on is James 2:17 - "...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

The church has extended their faith in action by making a very generous donation to our affiliate. 

First Congregational has been a wonderful donor to us in the past, and we are grateful and excited for this partnership to continue.

Thank you again, First Congregational Church of River Falls!
Welcome to Our New Employees
Kathy Deiss
Kathy Deiss is the new Roberts ReStore assistant manager. She is a St. Croix Valley native having grown up in Ellsworth, living in Roberts, and sending her kids to school in River Falls. 

Her interest in working with Habitat first sparked when her brother-in-law drove the semi-trailer to help the ReStore move from New Richmond to Roberts. She realized that taking the assistant manager position would be a great opportunity for her to be with people, meet community businesses and organizations, and learn more about and share all of the good things Habitat does for the community.

When not working at the ReStore, Kathy loves to work in her flower beds, go to garage sales, bake, and cook.
Dean Monroe
Dean "Dr. Awesome" Monroe is the affiliate's new program specialist. He was born and raised in a family-owned construction company in the Great State of Oklahoma, which is also where he went to college. Throughout his long academic career, Dean has obtained a BS in Cartography, MS in Geography, an MBA, and a PhD in Environmental Science and is a certified GISP (geographic information system professional).

After grad school, Dean moved to San Angelo, Texas, where he lived for five years. Dean then moved with his wife, Sierra Howry (assistant professor of Agricultural economics at UWRF), to River Falls in 2013.

Before coming to Habitat, Dean worked as a professional cartographer (6 years); research assistant at Oklahoma State University's Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering department (6 years); associate lecturer at 3 colleges (Northern Oklahoma College, Angelo State University)  taught business, mathematics, Geographic Information Systems, biometrics, and agriculture (10 years); as well as started a part-time handyman service around the same time that he started working at Habitat.

Dean came to Habitat because he loved the people and wanted to work with individuals who are as passionate as he is about voluntary community service.

When not at Habitat, Dean loves to make things (woodwork, metalwork, concrete, maps, trout flies, anything and everything), spend time with his son, and read science fiction/fantasy novels. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and proud father to Miles and two dogs, Angus and Nitis.
Kael Bacon
Kael Bacon is the new River Falls ReStore associate. Originally from Lake City, MN, Kael, 22,  now lives in River Falls as he is in his junior year of studying social work at UWRF. After college, he dreams of being a school social worker and a football coach.

He has coached middle school football in Lake City for four years, and this fall, he will be an assistant coach at Prescott High School (Go Cards!). He also has 4 years of experience in customer service, and he loves to make people happy.

Kael loves Habitat because he has met so many awesome people, who do so many great things for the community, and "it is just really an honor to be a part of that." 

In his free time, Kael likes to go hiking, camping, jogging, have campfires, and spend time with his family.  
Home Runs for Homes
This year, the River Falls Fighting Fish baseball team is going to be doing something different. They are going to partner with a community organization and business sponsor every home game.

Habitat night will be Sunday, June 5 at 1 pm. In the few days before the game, we will have 25, $2 concession vouchers to give away. We will have a table set up at the game to hand out information and talk about all of the wonderful work done by our affiliate.

Eco Village Update
The final exterior and landscaping work is underway at the Eco Village. Here, executive director, Dave Engstrom, is leading the charge of moving permeable pavers to help finish building a sidewalk.

We are currently scheduling business/organization volunteer groups to help out this summer, so if you are interested, please contact the office at 715-425-5623.
Our executive director hard at work moving sidewalk pavers
Employment Opportunities
Our affiliate is on the lookout for two motivated, energetic people to fill our two AmeriCorps VISTA positions: Resource Development and Outreach and Faith Relations. The deadline for applications has been extended to June 13.

The positions are each one-year commitments and are scheduled to start on July 25. Applications and specific information about each position can be found by clicking on the position title above.

Have questions about the AmeriCorps program? Contact Kayla by email or at 715-425-5623.




St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity
116 E. Elm Street
River Falls, WI 54022



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