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Our History — Unabridged

Don DeBruyn, a founder of the Manitowoc County Habitat for Humanity and current Church Relations Chairperson for Habitat for Humanity, shares the history of the Manitowoc County affiliate in his own words:

"In 1988, a number of people from the area responded to an invitation to explore forming a Habitat affiliate in Manitowoc County. The impetus came from the City of Two Rivers, which offered two building sites. Reverend Phillip Yeager, who had helped organize Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Wisconsin, also played a large role. A steering committee was formed and the group incorporated as a nonprofit organization. A partner family was selected for the first home and groundbreaking was held in November of 1988. In April 1989, we were officially accepted as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.

All Habitat affiliates in the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to tithe 10% of unrestricted income to an affiliate in a developing country, where financial resources for building are scarce. We learned of a couple from Wisconsin who had recently volunteered as Habitat International Partners in Mexico, and we chose to send our tithe to support their work. After they finished their service, we have continued to send our tithe to Habitat projects in Mexico.

Our first Habitat home was completed in fall of 1989 in Two Rivers. The next year a home was given to us by Pfeffer Funeral Home in Manitowoc, moved to a site one block away, and renovated. In 1989 a new home was also begun in Two Rivers, across the street from the first home. In summer, 1991, we were selected to be a stop on the route for a workgroup organized to travel to Habitat’s 15th Anniversary celebration. The group spent a week here framing two homes on Mary Street in Manitowoc, before moving to their next worksite. Both homes were finished and dedicated on the same day in November. Over the next three years we moved and renovated three more homes in Manitowoc and built a new home in Two Rivers.

A huge challenge and opportunity came in 1995, when Holy Family Memorial Medical Center offered Habitat nine homes, if we would move them, so that the hospital campus could be expanded. We were able to locate some land on South 21st and 23rd Streets within a few miles of the homes. After much discussion and prayer, we purchased the land and agreed to accept the homes. All nine homes were moved on the same day in June, 1995. We began selecting families for some of the homes and were able to renovate three homes by the next summer. We were honored to host Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity who helped to dedicate those three homes in 1996.

Finding families for the other six homes and renovating them occupied us for three years. Each home was different and offered new challenges. One home was beyond repair and demolished; a new home was built on its foundation. The leadership of the Board during that time should be commended for persistence despite setbacks and trials.

Having decided to no longer accept homes to be moved, the affiliate focused on developing some standard home plans for new construction. Also, with first mortgages and liens to monitor, the Board felt an executive director was needed. The job was getting too big for volunteers alone. With a grant from Habitat International, we were able to hire an executive director. Jean Wakefield became executive director in 2001 and continues to serve the organization well. First Presbyterian Church has provided office space as well as meeting areas.

The affiliate name was changed from Two Rivers-Manitowoc Habitat for Humanity to Manitowoc County Habitat for Humanity to reflect our true service area. Habitat has continued building on the land it owns in Manitowoc and on several sites in Two Rivers.

Two homes were constructed during 2006, when we received a major grant from Thrivent Financial to sponsor one of the homes. The home finished the fall of 2008 is the 32nd home built in partnership with families in Manitowoc County since 1989.

The need for affordable housing in Manitowoc County continues to grow, especially with the effect on family incomes caused by the recent economic recession. Habitat is challenged to help meet the need for more low-income housing by families whose current housing is substandard, overcrowded, or no longer affordable for them. We need to be good stewards of our resources and build simple, good-quality homes and keep them affordable. Habitat’s goal is to involve more people in its mission of eliminating poverty housing and homelessness. We want to provide more opportunities for churches, service organizations, business and individuals to become active in this ministry. We also look for opportunities to build homes beyond the boundaries of Manitowoc and Two Rivers in some of the other communities in Manitowoc County where Habitat is invited and supported. Pray that God may use us to accomplish what he calls us to do.

We are very grateful for all the volunteers who have worked so hard to bring hope to 32 partner families during the past 20 years, and for those who have prayed and provided financial support to enable this work.