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Text: Stories of perseverance. Annual Report: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

You see perseverance everywhere at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

It’s in the dedicated volunteers. It’s in the families building toward homeownership. And it’s in the generous donors, like you, who support our mission year after year.

Perseverance isn’t easy. It takes determination. Inspiration. Grit. Flexibility. And you’ve got it!

This past year at Twin Cities Habitat has been all about the hard work and perseverance to make our Build Forward Together Strategic Plan a reality. And it’s possible because of you.

Thank you.

Read on for stories of perseverance made possible by your generous support from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

 

 

"We hope you feel proud of all you’ve accomplished this year as part of the Habitat community...your generosity fills us with hope as we tackle the work ahead, because so much more is possible when we build forward together."
 
Chris Coleman, President & CEO, and Paul Delahunt, Chair, Board of Directors

Read Welcome Letter

Person hammering nail into wood on build site.

Persevering for Home

Angela's Story

 

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Angela always dreamed of owning a home—just like her mom did. But the road wasn’t easy. Her first attempt at homeownership with a big bank didn’t work out. A few years later she was accepted into Habitat’s homeownership program. This time, her own doubts kept her back.

“I was afraid I didn’t have all the tools and resources, so I kept pushing it back.”

But Angela persevered.

Years later, she re-applied for Habitat and qualified for the brand-new Advancing Black Homeownership Program. This innovative program was co-designed by and for foundational Black households—those who are descendants of slavery in the U.S. and have been the primary targets of racial discrimination in housing for generations. The program’s unique peer support and coaching, more flexible mortgage criteria, and additional financial resources were exactly what Angela needed to achieve her dream.

“I learned that I was not the only one who had these fears! I wasn’t the only one that had the barriers—I didn’t even really understand that there are barriers to this whole process.”

Finally, after years of perseverance, Angela did it: she became a homeowner. And the Habitat team was with her every step of the way—including you!

Angela smiling in her kitchen next to a counter with a bouquet of pink flowers.
"I am just truly so grateful to Habitat for allowing me to go through the process and having them guide me to achieve that goal. It took me a while to get to the mountaintop, but I finally did get there. And now, I’m finally living!"
 
— Angela

 

  • Angela with her family in front of her home.
  • Home mat outside house with Minnesota shape and moose.
  • Angela smiling and using a laptop in her home.

Your Impact

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511

families partnered with Habitat’s programs & services

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296

households partnered with Habitat’s homeownership program

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104

households bought homes with Habitat

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173

households introduced into the homeownership process

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247

individuals completed Habitat homebuyer education

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71

households achieved mortgage readiness from financial coaching

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102

non-Habitat homeowners received counseling to prevent foreclosure

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28

Habitat homeowners paid off their mortgages, bringing the total to 356 since 1985

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24

families partnered with Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness Home Repair Program

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61

international families partnered to achieve housing solutions thanks to our Global Impact Fund

Persevering for Partnership

Shereese's Story

 
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“Habitat needs to show up differently in community.” That’s what Shereese Turner said when she joined Twin Cities Habitat to lead Programs & Services in 2018. Fueled by her own journey with housing, Shereese challenged Habitat to build deeper, more trusting relationships with Black communities and other communities of color. She pushed us to listen better, have seats at more tables, admit when we’re wrong, change course when needed.

Shereese’s calls echoed what we heard from you, our dedicated Habitat community. You pushed us to take bigger strides in our work for racial equity. And you stepped up your generosity to make it happen.

You make it possible to sponsor community events, like Live Your Healthy Lyfe, Selby Jazz Fest, and A Night at the Q. You unlock creative partnerships, like a new collaboration with Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Twin Cities R!SE, dubbed Pathways to Success. You fund our participation in Black-led initiatives, like the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity and 9000 Equities, and you provide critical anti-racism trainings for staff and volunteers.

Perseverance is about doing whatever it takes to reach the finish line—whether you stick to the course you know or find a new path. Habitat is finding that new path with more partners than ever, while sticking to the goal of advancing racial equity through homeownership. Thank you for your support.

  • Shereese Turner at a Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity event.
  • Kids playing Habitat-branded bean bag toss at an event.
  • Shereese on stage at Live Your Healthy Lyfe.
  • Black Men Teach signing at Habitat office.

Community Partners

Persevering for Big Change

Harrison Townhomes

 

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You might think a groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of a project. But when we sunk shovels at the site of the future 17 Harrison Townhomes in August 2022, we’d already come a long way through the pandemic's difficult homebuilding environment.

The vision was clear: build 17 new townhomes and make them affordable to people living in the Harrison neighborhood. And each step of the way, Habitat and our partners kept moving forward to build homes and invest in our community. Like Angela and all our clients, we dream big, then do whatever it takes to make that dream come true.

But it’s not just staff who brought this vision to life. YOU—our community of supporters—rolled up your sleeves, too. During Give to the Max Day in November 2022, we told you that this project was facing a funding gap and you rose to the occasion.

Now, the project is well underway, and volunteers are busy installing flooring and painting—doing the sweaty, hard work of creating new homes for our neighbors.

We've learned a lot through this project. And that has equipped us to dream big and take on another major development, up to 150 units at The Heights on St. Paul’s East Side.

  • Two volunteers smiling on site at the Harrison townhomes.
  • Exterior shot of townhome with sun shining over the roof.
  • Volunteer smiling and holding a paintbrush.
  • Harrison Townhomes Rendering 1 - Copy

Persevering to Make a Difference

Barry & Sharon

 

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If there’s one thing that sets you apart as a Habitat supporter, it’s perseverance through a challenging issue. Volunteers put in full days of hard work on the build site. Donors give year after year at rates higher than the industry average. Habitat advocates help pass major housing legislation. Those acts of dedication to Habitat’s mission are exemplified in Barry and Sharon Mason.

The Masons’ introduction to Twin Cities Habitat was, like many supporters, through volunteering with their church. Annual donations quickly followed.

"Because we are totally committed to the mission of Twin Cities Habitat, we are determined to invest both our time and our financial resources,” Sharon says. “They go hand in hand. And together, they both positively impact the important work toward justice and equity in homeownership that Habitat is accomplishing in our community."

As the Masons’ awareness of housing issues grew, so did their support for Twin Cities Habitat. They stretched to increase their giving. Barry joined the Board of Directors and served as Board Chair, and Sharon served on several Board committees. They’ve traveled for Global Village trips and they advocate at Habitat on the Hill each year. Sharon is a long-time Women Build team leader and Barry started a Regular Volunteer Crew in 2019. And last year, they realized a dream to fully sponsor a Habitat home.

Habitat supporters like you and the Masons know that expanding homeownership opportunities takes perseverance. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. When you show up again and again, incredible things can happen.

Barry and Sharon on a Habitat build site in Haiti.
"This organization is making an incredible impact. Your time and your money given generously here is making that direct difference in our community through homeownership."
 
— Barry

 

Your Impact – Volunteers

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9,724

volunteers gave of their time at build sites, on home repair projects, in our ReStore Home Improvement Outlets, through Advocacy, and more

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133,555

hours served by volunteers, valued at $4.6 million by the Independent Sector

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45

AmeriCorps members served for a full year or the summer

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18,305

hours served by AmeriCorps members

  • Roger Wherry
  • Kathleen hammering on a roof.
  • Bob smiling on a ladder.

Top Volunteers

Roger Wherry
870 hours

Kathleen Dennison
733 hours

Bob Wageman
679 hours

  • Habitat on the Hill 2023 - square thumbnail

Your Impact – Advocates

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24

Action Alert campaigns connected advocates with lawmakers throughout the year

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100

people joined Habitat on the Hill—MN 2023 at the State Capitol

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$1 billion

for housing was passed in the MN budget—largest-ever state investment in housing

Your Impact – Donors

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8,641

donors gave $15,941,924 in financial contributions

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$1,684,082

of materials, services, and property were contributed in kind

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1,890

new donors made a gift to Habitat for the first time 

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936

Builder’s Circle members gave gifts of $1,000 or more 

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316

Carpenter’s Club members gave recurring monthly gifts 

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119

Legacy Circle members included Habitat in their wills 

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79

faith-based groups lived out their values by supporting Habitat 

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232

businesses provided financial support to Habitat projects   

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184

vehicles were donated through Habitat’s Cars for Homes program

Three volunteers working near the saws on a build site.
Percentage breakdown of types of donors.

Persevering for the Mission

ReStore

 

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For 16 years, ReStore has persevered through changes and growth—from a small outlet opened just before the recession to the multi-million-dollar operation it is today. 

The original Twin Cities ReStore Home Improvement Outlet opened in north Minneapolis, and soon after moved to New Brighton. Despite starting small, ReStore staff and supporters kept at it—and their dedication paid off. By 2016, a second ReStore location opened in south Minneapolis. In 2020, the New Brighton store was renovated to offer a larger showroom and more inventory. And more growth is on the way.

The ReStore team has expanded from four employees to 25 and counting. Ten donations per day was once the norm; now, 40 donations is considered a slow day. ReStore’s mission impact has grown, too. In this most recent fiscal year, sales from our two ReStore locations helped Twin Cities Habitat build five homes for local families.

This story of perseverance is made possible by our amazing donors, volunteers, and team members. From those who have been at ReStore since the beginning to new members of this community, supporters like you keep us going. Long-time regular volunteer Donna describes it well: “They really have roots in the community. It’s inspiring what people have done to make ReStore full of good things.”

Thanks to you, 2023 was ReStore’s most successful year yet! 

  • ReStore exteriors, Minneapolis on the left and New Brighton on the right.
  • Smiling ReStore staff helping someone donate items.

Your Impact – ReStore

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19,105

donations of building materials, furniture, and more

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73,419

shoppers at ReStore

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$3.6 million

in ReStore sales for Habitat’s mission—best year ever!

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4.6 million

pounds of materials kept out of landfills

Top ReStore Volunteers

Chuck Engeldinger
445 hours

Wendy Thompson
444 hours

Larry Coulter
375 hours

Financials and Extras

Form 990

Form 990 (TCHFH Lending, Inc.)

View Past Reports & Financials

Join us as we Build Forward Together

Learn about our plan and progress

Lumber texture