Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

A friend of the family told the Wurms about the homebuyer program at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH). “We applied but didn’t ever think we would get it.  We felt like good things just didn’t happen to us,” said Angie.

After three years of waiting, the call finally came, notifying them that they were matched to a house in Columbia Heights.  “I will never, ever forget that moment of joy and excitement when they called us and told us that we were getting a house,” said Angie.

A generous neighbor watched their children for free so that Angie could complete her sweat equity hours.  “I worked on our house every single day from the day they started on it until the day that we moved in.  One Saturday I couldn’t work, so I packed up a lunch and the kids and we sat across the street and watched,” said Angie.

The couple was overwhelmed by the level of volunteer participation.  “Over 400 volunteers took time out of their lives, took vacation time from their jobs, to work really hard on building a house for somebody that they didn’t know.  It was amazing to us that people were willing to do that,” Angie said.

In December of 1996, the family moved into their home.  With the stability of a fixed mortgage payment, the couple worked hard to build a better future for their family.  Mike went back to school to further his education, which resulted in several promotions and salary increases.  Angie started an in-home daycare, and volunteered at TCHFH for five and half years.

“That house meant so much to us.  It gave us a stable, firm foundation to better ourselves and go for our dreams,” said Angie. 

The family finished off the basement of their home, adding two bedrooms, a bathroom, family room and laundry. Eventually they sold the home and moved to Ham Lake. “We still drive by our Habitat house on our way to church.  There are lots of good memories there,” said Angie.

Mike’s recent job promotion is moving the family to Michigan this year.  Their kids, Lauren, Brecken, and Paige, are now adolescents.  Angie hopes that growing up in a Twin Cities Habitat home has taught them important life lessons.

“We talk a lot about where we come from and where we are today.  I hope the kids will appreciate that hard work and perseverance, and that the togetherness and commitment that Mike and I have together pays off,” she said.

“Without that Habitat season in our lives, we wouldn’t be where we are today.  It allowed us to afford some schooling, to better my career, and to build our family into what it is today,” added Mike.

Contributed by Sharon Rolenc

Photo by Patrick Dunn