Stories
We love our stories! And our pictures! And our videos! Let us share a few of them with you…
Homeowner stories
Shanga Mastaki’s story from quiet teenager… to Habitat homeowner daughter… to college graduate and Dress for Success mentee… to confident young woman.
Roda Weil’s story about polio… an arranged marriage… four kids… escaping war in Sudan by coming to the US… a Habitat house. She landed in Sioux Falls with her family in March, 1996. “I didn’t think it cold like inside the refrigerator,” she exclaimed. Upon disembarking the plane and seeing snow on the ground, her children shrieked that America was rich. We sprinkled sugar on the ground!
Patty Brito’s story about having three kids… getting divorced… choosing a Habitat lot in the neighborhood where she grew up… closing costs of only $20… paying off her house!
Volunteer stories
Tom Wierenga, who received two volunteer awards in one year and built with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in Mexico
Evan Ingebrigtson, who led the successful Breaking New Ground capital campaign (the Master’s Annex expansion) as our board president
Build stories
Pope Francis House – imagine getting a call from the east coast saying that a local philanthropist chose your affiliate for a full house sponsorship in Pope Francis’ name
Kum & Go Build – imagine winning a full house sponsorship based on consumer donations at local convenience stores
Staff member stories
Rocky Welker is our new Executive Director and we’re excited to see what the future holds with him at the helm
Patty Brooks reflects on her first year as the Executive Director
Patty Brooks is hired as Executive Director, upon Sue Olsen’s retirement after 11 years of service
Paul Johnson hits the ground running as our new Construction Manager