Family Stories

Travis and Mary Svoboda are partnering with Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity to build STABILITY, SECURITY AND SELF-RELIANCE. Travis & Mary know how to get-by. They’ve managed to raise 6 children including 4 adopted children in a 2-bedroom apartment by sacrificing bedroom space for themselves, opting for couches so the kids can sleep in beds.…

Jeremy and Breanna are partnering with Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity to build STABILITY, SCEURITY AND SELF-RELIANCE. “The Journey of Hope, never give up, it will get better” -The Engholm family Their new home on Timbers Drive in Park Rapids will be the beginning of a new chapter for the Jeremy and Breanna Engholm family.…

Dale and Katie Johnson are partnering with Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity to build SAFETY, SECURITY AND SELF-RELIANCE. “We now have hope and are looking forward to our future as Habitat for Humanity homeowners.” Like any good parents, Dale and Katie want their son to be happy and safe. The Brainerd couple and their 17-year…

“We want to spend more time with mom!” Those are words every single parent understands…and struggles to find ways to make a reality. That certainly is the case for Tiffany who is raising 5 very active children, ranging in ages from 1 to 15. Tiffany’s life has been a journey through challenges.  She tells of…

“We want to stop the cycle of dysfunction from our childhood and give our children a better life” Dysfunction, drugs and alcohol, not the desired environment to live out your childhood. Unfortunately, that was the case for Chad and Renee. Raising 7 kids is no easy task and Chad and Renee are working hard to…

“To finally have a place we can call Home” Oppression, anxiety, depression and not enough resources are challenges in Josh and Breanna face every day. Josh and Breanna knew each other and were friends during high school.  They graduated and they both went their separate ways. Little did they know that once again, their paths…

Deb and Brady Kowalzek “We can’t wait to not have standing water in our house when it rains” Such a simple wish, however for Deb and her son Brady, this is the reality they live in. Deb spent most of her life caring for others. A few years ago, Deb and her youngest son Brady…

“Keep trying, don’t quit, don’t give up, keep fighting” These are the words that Brian and Mandy live by and are teaching their children (ages 13, 9, 6 and 3). Brian and Mandy met when they were in recovery.  They had a good life and things were going well at least for a while. However,…

A tragedy transformed into a full circle blessing! Discouragement, uncertainty, despair, places and emotions we may all have experienced but for many this hopelessness clouds their vision to ever see any open door to improve their life. Dennis joined the military shortly after high school. Dennis had many dreams, but life handed him some challenges…

“I just want wider hallways & doors” That’s a pretty simple response to the question of what’s needed to serve the Kemp family in their Habitat home. Paul’s in a wheelchair and he wants to be able to move down the hallway without scraping his hands on the walls; he wants to be able to get into…