About Us
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Habitat for Humanity
of Morrison County?
HFHMC is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Established in 1998, we are a non-profit (501c-3) ecumenical Christian housing ministry seeking to increase affordable housing and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Our local affiliate is governed by a local Board of Directors and our mission is to build simple, affordable homes in partnership with families in need in Morrison County. 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.
Why do we need Habitat?
As long as there are people in our county who need a simple, decent, affordable home, our need is great, and our work is urgent. Many families are living in substandard, inadequate, and unsafe conditions. Currently, 41% of Morrison County residents are paying over 30% of their income towards housing. As of 2023, we have built 23 homes across the county in Little Falls, Royalton, Pierz, Motley, Swanville, and Randall. We build homes, but in the process we also build stability, confidence,
self-reliance, and pride in our partner families.
How does it work?
We partner with qualified families and local contractors to build homes with the help of volunteer labor and private donations. Habitat is not a giveaway program. We believe in giving families a HAND UP, not a HAND OUT. Partner families invest at least 300 hours of their own labor or “sweat equity” into building their home. They then purchase the home from us with a down payment and a low-interest mortgage. Their mortgage payments help build more Habitat homes, paying it forward to the next family.
How long does it take?
From handing in your application to receiving your house keys, the process takes close to a year.
If you are facing immediate homelessness and need emergency housing, please contact Oasis Central MN at (320) 632-9140.
How can I help?
We can't do what we do without people just like you!
Donors, sponsors, and volunteers are what build the homes. You can help by:
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Making a financial or in-kind donation. The cost of building a new house rose 64% between 2019-2021. Visit our DONATE page today!
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VOLUNTEER to help on the building site. No experience necessary - we’ll train you! You help us on the home while gaining new skills. Win-Win!
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Helping with and attending our fundraising events such as the Ladies Luncheon held in the spring, the annual summer Golf Tournament, the End-of-Year fundraising appeal, etc.
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Volunteering in the office
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Serving on our Board of Directors
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Spreading the word
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Keeping our work and our partners in your prayers
State Housing Tax Credit Program
Click here for more info on a new program from the MN Legislature in which you can get a tax credit while supporting affordable housing!
990 financial reports available upon request
Non-proselytizing policy
Habitat for Humanity and its affiliate organizations will not proselytize. Nor will Habitat work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with Habitat. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
Our Board of Directors
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Dan Thielman, President - Berscheid Builders
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Raquel Lundberg, Vice President- Little Falls City Council
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Diane Korver, Treasurer - Compliance Officer/Internal Auditor, Pine Country Bank
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Danette Ringwelski, Secretary - Tri County Community Action
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Jerry Chandler - US Public Health Service Officer, (Ret.)
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Sister Julien Dirkes - Sister Services Coordinator, Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls MN
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Sheila Watercott - Standup4U Coalition, Little Falls High School
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Bill Osberg - Retired Business Owner
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Travis Johnson - Edina Realty
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Mike Trettel - Retired County Appraiser
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Stephanie Burg - INH Properties
Contact Information
Kathleen (Kathy) Lange, Executive Director
klange@hfhmorrisoncounty.org
Mel Euteneuer, Finance Advisor
meuteneuer@hfhmorrisoncounty.org
Cheryl Hoskins, Finance Advisor
Tina Yorek, Office Assistant
tyorek@hfhmorrisoncounty.org
Our Staff
Kathy Lange, Executive Director
Kathy became the Executive Director of HFHMC in April 2021. She comes from years of fundraising and grant writing experience with St. Gabriel’s Health Foundation. Her experience in observing how housing stability is essential to good health led the desire to be part of Habitat for Humanity. Kathy has been on the Board of Directors of Oasis Central Minnesota, Faith Not Fear (community group led by the Franciscan Sisters), Common Spirit Health Foundation, and has volunteered with the Little Falls Chamber and the Purple Carrot Market.
She is passionate about the mission of Habitat and is eager to continue helping HFHMC provide affordable, safe housing in Morrison County.
Kathy Lange
Tina Yorek - Administrative Assistant
Tina Yorek of Little Falls joined our team in October 2021 as the administrative assistant for our local office. She comes with a strong background and a degree in administrative support as well as development experience in the faith and non-profit communities.
Tina Yorek