OGLE COUNTY — Soon one well deserving family will get the news they have been waiting for — a home to call their own. Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County is hoping to select a family by the first of the year for the newest build in Rochelle.

The Rochelle location marks the twelfth build in Ogle County for HFHOC, previously in Byron, Polo, Forreston, Oregon and Mt. Morris. It has been nearly 20 years since the organization has built in Rochelle.

The family chosen must meet the eligibility requirement to pay the mortgage and contribute sweat equity, which is usually 200 hours.

Newly appointed executive director Vanessa White-Broome said the Christian-based organization strives to assist individuals and families that need a hand up, not a hand out.

“There is a misconception that we give a house away. These are families that are working, they have to put sweat equity in and they have to have a willingness to partner with us,” White-Broome said. “They have a mortgage, but no interest on that mortgage.”

White-Broome previously served as president and board member for PADS homeless shelter in Dixon for 20 years and also with CASA as a court appointed special advocate for youth. Having served in those positions White-Broome said she has seen first-hand the families and individuals of all ages desperately trying to secure safe, decent, affordable housing.

“This was extremely hard for many due to their limited income, education, job skills, or hardships that they suffered such as job loss, illness, or abandonment of the primary earner within the home,” White-Broome said.

White-Broome said HFHOC, along with the other Habitat for Humanity organizations across the country not only help families and communities, but also provide something intangible.

“It allows somebody to feel empowered, restoring that dignity and hope when attaining a home, which they might have felt never possible,” White-Broome said.

Generous donation
Earlier this year, real estate investor John Bridge purchased and donated a home in Rochelle. Having owned over 2,000 homes Bridge had always wanted to give to the organization, in turn giving a family an opportunity to own a home.

Due to the condition and age of the home HFHOC will be demolishing the existing structure and building a new home. Habitat homes are modestly sized, typically not exceeding 1,050 square feet of living space. The three-bedroom ranch-style homes usually include an unfinished basement so that the family could eventually add another bedroom.
Construction on the house in Rochelle is expected to begin around April or May of 2017.

Breaking the cycle
The non-profit organization helps break the cycle of poverty and build long-term financial security. White-Broome said this gives a better chance for stability versus repeating the cycle of homelessness many times due to factors beyond their control.

“We hope to provide opportunities within Ogle County for individuals to attain a chance to own a decent, affordable resident that they can take pride in and work toward achieving and maintaining stability and safety,” White-Broome said. “Living in affordable housing allows individuals to have more funds available within their budget to adequately clothe and feed their children, as well as to save funds to invest in education and to better plan for emergency situations.”

Testimony
“We don’t have to move again…Fantastic organization…The financial course offered to us was great and assisted us with managing our finances and learning to save…this home has given my family stability…prior to the Habitat home my family moved every two years — this was hard on my children and they suffered in school,” White-Broome said of the personal testimonies from the newest homeowners in Ogle County.

Volunteers needed
Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County is seeking volunteers. The non-profit agency is not only looking for people to help out with construction work, but also for people to assist in other organizational areas. These include fundraising, advertising, public relations, corporate outreach and construction management.

Volunteers are given the opportunity to learn new skills and to utilize their special talents. Members of the organization ask that the community consider joining Habitat for Humanity in its new build.

People interested in helping or for more information can contact Vanessa White-Broome, executive director, at 815-440-6598 or email vanessawhite82@yahoo.com.

“We value and appreciate the support that Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County receives in order to fulfill our mission as we go into our twelfth build of assisting families in our area to realize the dream of an affordable, decent and stable home,” White-Broome said.

Plans are underway for fundraising events, including the annual Prime Rib Dinner expected in 2017. HFHOC continually seeks funds, donations, and volunteers to help keep the final mortgage as low as possible.
For those interested in giving a tax-deductible donation, please send to PO Box 628, Oregon, IL 61061, Attn: Vanessa White-Broome, Executive Director.
Current Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County board members are Bob Van Stedum, president; Don Schier, vice president; Katie Van Stedum, secretary; Dave Starke, vice president; Shellie Knox, treasurer; Lori Wagner, Randy Wagner, Dirk Meminger, Lorna Snapp, Gail Tuttle, Tom Hughes, Virgil Rocke, Doug Knodle, Wayne Bearman, and Brion Brooks.

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry with more than 1,400 local affiliates in the Unites States and more than 70 national organizations around the world. Since 1976, they have helped to build or repair more than 800,000 houses and serve more than 6.8 million people worldwide.

Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County builds safe, affordable houses for qualified homebuyers regardless of race, religion or background. Each Habitat home is built in partnership with homeowner families, sponsors, and volunteers.
In addition to new construction, Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County also renovates existing buildings in many communities.

Through “Sweat Equity,” the future homeowner works alongside the volunteers in the house in many phases of the project including cleaning the build site, working on their home or a home for another family, or even assisting in administrative duties.