little, last, least and lost

Early in April I heard Sister Simone Campbell speak on MPR.  She used two phrases that stuck with me:

"How do we care for the little, last, least and the lost?" 

We have people living at the margins in our community - and how should our community respond?  Often, they are the little ones - longing to be cared for, loved and nurtured.  I'm grateful for our active non-profits that help in that regard, for our schools, day cares and parents who do their best with, often times, little resources to tend to our little ones.  The last - over the past two years my eyes have been opened about the issues of housing for homeless youth and people with disabilities in our community.  Often, these are populations in need that are the last to be thought of.  The least - admit it, there are people who we believe are the least deserving of housing.  The people who don't look like us, act like us, have the same values or work ethic as us.  We create a hierarchy of those who "deserve" affordable housing more than others.  But the truth is, we ALL deserve a foundation from which we can grow and make better choices.  And the lost - who hasn't experienced a time of being lost in life?  Maybe in our youth (taking a cross country road trip in 1995 in my 1984 Ford Tempo after college certainly made my mother think I was "lost" - that was before cell phones for heaven's sake!).  But perhaps your lost time was after a divorce, the death of a loved one, a lost job, struggling with physical or mental health challenges. 

"I'm an equal opportunity irritator!"
This was in response to a question if she was democrat or republican.  I love her answer, "I'm an equal opportunity irritator."  And quite honestly, it's what we ALL must be right now.  Our elected leaders in our state are in the final weeks of decision making.  ALL of our elected representatives need to know how important affordable housing is to the little, last, least and lost. Our elected representatives are bombarded with "asks" and "demands" all day long.  We must make our "ask" different.  Our ask comes out of a deep belief that affordable housing makes everything a little bit better.  Having a safe and affordable place to live doesn't make the troubles go away, but it creates a place of stability from which people can tackle their other issues.

In the coming weeks I'll be sending you e-mail's asking you to contact your elected representatives about some specific bills.  I ask that you take action.  Please take time to look around and see the little, last, least and lost in our community.  Often they feel they have no voice.  Be their voice.  Be that equal opportunity irritator and lend your support for bills that will enable more affordable housing to become a reality!

Dayna Norvold,
Executive Director, Rice County Habitat for Humanity
Used by permission of Dayna Norvold
           ___________________________________________________

​Who are we​

Our Vision:
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

HFHI Mission Statement:
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

About Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County: 
Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.  

Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

All are welcome:
Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy.

How you Can Help:
Donate, volunteer and keep the ministry of Habitat for Humanity always in your prayers. Also participate in the International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat, designed to put shelter on the hearts and minds of all people.

​Our success depends on local leadership, donations of building materials, land and financial contributions as well as time and talents, prayer and Divine blessings.

​Call Habitat for Humanity today to volunteer:   
(320) 616-2084 

About Habitat for Humanity International: 
Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA in 1976, Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair homes for more than 750,000 families sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide. 

Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations (HFHI) will not proselytize. Nor will HFHI work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with HFHI. This means that HFH will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must (i) either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or  (ii) listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

To view the full HFHI Non-Proselytizing Policy, click here.

​Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County Dedicates home for HFH homeowner, Nichole Rudack

Nichole Rudack is shown above with Pastor Hank French during the candle ceremony dedicating her new Habitat home in Little Falls. The dedication was held on May 28, 2019. Co-workers, board members and friends came out to celebrate with Nichole her sons, Andrew and Zachary and her parents. Nichole thanked her family, the Habitat volunteers, staff and friends, and in particular, Dale Peterson, the HFHMC project manager.  "Their help and loving support during the build is an inspiration", stated Nichole. Dale Peterson presented Nichole with a tool box and the keys to her new home. Khris Sundvahl, from the Habitat staff, presented her with a Bible and a quilt made by the Prairie Point Quilters Club. HFHMC is proud of dedicating their 19th Habitat home in Morrison County and wishes Nichole and her family a house where they may grow, play and learn.
Groundbreaking on 19th HFHMC home held on May 31, 2018
​Homeownership Program, ​How to Apply: Applications for the Habitat Homeownership Program for affordable housing are currently closed.  If you are interested in more information, please call 320-616-2084.    
 
In order to qualify for the partnership program, applicants must be currently living in Morrison County for at least one year, be low income according to household size, be willing to partner with Habitat in helping build their home and other Habitat projects, and have a housing need. Paying more than one third of one’s income for housing, overcrowding (three to a bedroom) unsafe or unsanitary conditions are some examples of housing need.
 
Partnership Program applicants must be low-income according to household size;
​30% - 60% of the average income for Morrison County. Please call the Habitat office with questions on qualifying income levels. 
 
A unique characteristic of Habitat for Humanity is that homeowners must help build their own home.  In Morrison County, that means working a minimum of three hundred hours helping at the building site, the Habitat office, on fundraisers, or other approved community activities.
 
People interested in applying, and who fit the above criteria are asked to contact Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County to request an application, 320-616-2084.

​
Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County is a Christian-based nonprofit housing ministry and equal opportunity housing lender.  Funds are raised and spent locally.

Questions can be answered by calling 320-616-2084. 

Applications for Habitat Homeownership for 2019 are now closed.

Photos of Past Projects